Be a responsible dog owner: obey these seven city laws. Try to remember that many people don't like dogs or are afraid of them. Don't aggravate these people. Pick up after your dog. Keep her on a leash. Teach her not to bark when she's left alone. Be an ambassador for dogs. – Morgan Bitton

Get a License
Your dog must be licensed by the City. And your dog's license tag must be attached to his collar whenever he leaves your house (Health Code Section 161.04). You can apply for or renew a license here. Or call the Department of Health at 311.

Get a Rabies Vaccine
All dogs over three months old must be immunized against rabies (New York City Health Code Section 11.66).

Scoop the Poop
Dogs owners are required to pick up after their dogs (Health Code Section 161.03). To report dog owners who don't scoop their dogs' poop, call the City's Sanitation Action Center at 212-219-8090.

Use a Leash
When in public, your dog must be restrained by a leash or chain no longer than six-feet long (Health Code Section 161.05). The exceptions: dog runs, and off-leash hours in designated areas in some city parks.

Don't be a Nuisance
You must prevent your dog from "committing a nuisance" in any public place (Health Code Section 161.03). To report a dog that's being a nuisance, call the Department of Health at 311.

Keep Your Dog Quiet
You must prevent your dog from causing "unreasonable noise" (Administrative Code, Section 24-235). The official law, part of the New York City's new noise code signed into law in December 2005, states: "No person having charge, care, custody, or control of any animal shall cause or permit such animal to cause unreasonable noise including, but not limited to, any sound that is plainly audible at any location within any residential receiving property as set forth below: (a) At or after 7 a.m. and before 10 p.m., continuously for a period of 10 minutes or more; (b) At or after 10 p.m. and before 7 a.m., continuously for a period of 5 minutes or more." To report a dog that barks unreasonably, dial 311.

Prevent Attacks
You dog is not allowed to attack or assault people or pets. Nor is he allowed to fight other dogs (Administrative Code Section 17-343).

Aggressive behavior may be excused if:
a) your dog attacks someone who breaks into your house;
b) your dog attacks someone who is tormenting, abusing or assaulting him;
c) your dog attacks someone who's trying to commit a crime;
d) your dog attacks in response to pain or injury;
e) your dog attacks to protect himself, his kennels or his offspring (Administrative Code, Section 17-347).

If your dog attacks or assaults a person or another pet, and if none of the above exceptions apply, the City may hold a hearing to decide if your dog is a "dangerous dog" (as defined by Administrative Code, Section 17-342). Based on evidence presented at the hearing, the Department of Health Commissioner can force you to:
a) register your "dangerous dog" with the City;
b) muzzle or lock up your dog;
c) take out a liability insurance policy of $100,000;
d) register your dog for an obedience class;
e) get him anti-bite training;
f) get the dog out of the City permanently; or,
g) have the dog put down (Administrative Code, Sections 17-344 and 17-345).

To report a dog bite or a threatening dog, call the Department of Health at 311.