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Council amends animal ordinance to replace 'dog' with 'domesticated animal' after discussion with animal-control officer
Summary
On second reading, council voted unanimously to amend Ordinance 2025-11 (chapter 505) to change a provision's reference from 'dog' to 'domesticated animal' after discussion of enforcement and animal behavior; the animal-control officer's concerns were heard before the amendment passed.
Brooklyn City Council on second reading amended Ordinance 2025-11, which revises chapter 505 of the city's codified ordinances relating to animals, by replacing the word "dog" with "domesticated animal" in section 505.24 subsection 4.2.
A council member explained the proposed change and moved to strike "dog" and substitute "domesticated animal," so the clause would read that an animal that "has caused injury other than killing or serious injury to any person or has killed another domesticated animal" meets the stated threshold. The motion was seconded.
The city's animal-control officer (identified in the meeting as Miranda) addressed council concerns about animal behavior and enforcement, noting the practical challenges when animals pursue other animals. One council member said that if a dog had killed a cat that would be considered serious and meriting enforcement attention.
Dana called the roll on the amendment. The recorded vote to amend was: Steven Coyle, yes; Annie/Andy (recorded variants), yes; Matt Mosley, yes; Aaron Browski, yes; Kevin Tansky, yes; Kathy Poochie, yes. The amendment carried on the recorded roll-call vote.
Council discussed enforcement options and the possibility of coordinating further with the law director to strengthen enforcement language where appropriate. No final additional enforcement changes were adopted at that moment; the amendment to the ordinance text was approved and will continue through the ordinance process on its second-reading schedule.
