Mount Morris board adopts higher fines for dog offenses and schedules Jan. 13 public hearing

The Village of Mount Morris Board of Trustees adopted a local law amending Chapter 59 of the village code to raise monetary penalties for dog-related violations and set a public hearing on the change for Jan. 13, 2026, at 6:30 p.m.

The clerk read the proposed text aloud as the board moved to adopt the law and to set the public hearing. Under the new wording approved by the board, a first conviction would carry a fine of not less than $50 and not more than $100; a second conviction of the same provision within 12 months would be punishable by a fine of not less than $100 and not more than $200; third and subsequent convictions within 12 months would be punishable by a fine of not less than $200 and not more than $300. The board stated these penalties supplement state Agriculture and Markets Law provisions related to dogs.

Why it matters: The change replaces an older penalty structure that allowed fines as low as $5 and aimed to provide incrementally larger penalties for repeat violations. The board said the adjustment was intended to improve deterrence and align local penalties with current expectations for enforcement.

What the board voted: The board adopted the local law and directed the village clerk to file the law in the minutes and with the New York secretary of state. The board also ordered publication and posting of a notice of public hearing no fewer than 10 days before Jan. 13, 2026. The board held voice votes on the adoption and the motion to set the hearing; no roll-call tallies were recorded in the public minutes.

Next steps: The public may review the proposed local law at the village clerk’s office and on the village website during regular business hours; the board will take public comment at the scheduled Jan. 13 hearing before finalizing any enforcement changes.