Town board introduces local law to regulate outdoor restraint of dogs; public hearing set for April 8

The Town of Champlain introduced Local Law No. 1 of 2025, titled “A local law regulating the outdoor restraint of dogs,” and set a public hearing for 7:15 p.m. April 8 at the Town of Champlain Municipal Building, 10729 Route 9, Champlain, N.Y.

The board said the law — which will be added to town code Chapter 66 — aims to regulate outdoor tethering of dogs and was drafted with review by the town attorney, the town dog control officer and outside stakeholders. Supervisor Trombley said changes discussed at an earlier meeting were incorporated and that the town attorney supported a nighttime restriction included in the proposal.

Resident and advocate Jennifer Jewett addressed the board during the public-comment portion, thanking the board and describing the drafting process as collaborative. “Laws like this do not go and get created by one person,” Jewett said, noting the measure was reviewed by county officials, sheriff’s deputies and attorneys and compared with laws elsewhere in the state and country.

Board members formally introduced the local law by resolution (Resolution No. 8 of 2025) and approved sending it forward; a subsequent resolution (Resolution No. 9 of 2025) set the public hearing for April 8 at 7:15 p.m. The town clerk was directed to publish required notices.

The town clerk and staff told residents the local law language will be added to chapter 66 (dog control) of the town code; the clerk also provided contact and procedural information for dog licensing and for filing dog-control complaints. The board emphasized that recent edits were made to address concerns raised by the town dog control officer.

The board did not take final adoption action at the meeting; the matter will return after the April 8 public hearing for further consideration.