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Town of Tuxedo keeps animal‑regulation hearing open after overview of new draft law
Summary
The Town Board opened a public hearing on a rewritten "Regulation of Animals" local law that tightens rules on livestock, backyard hens and enforcement timelines; the hearing was kept open to March 11 as residents asked questions about licensing and rescue/foster situations.
Supervisor Dave McMillen called the Town Board special meeting to order and opened a public hearing on an Introductory Local Law titled "Regulation of Animals." He summarized the new draft as an effort "to clarify and codify animal regulations within the town code," describing limits on pets, livestock and poultry and changes to enforcement and penalties.
The draft addresses dogs and cats over one year old, keeps horses limited to one per acre (maximum of two unless an agricultural permit is held), and requires a three‑acre minimum for livestock such as goats, sheep and alpaca. Chicken rules would permit up to 12 hens in residential zones while prohibiting roosters in residential areas; coops would need to be set back 25 feet from lot lines and 50 feet from neighboring dwellings. Enforcement would be nuisance‑based rather than triggered solely by ownership; the cure period for violations would lengthen from 24 hours to seven days with weekly fine accrual thereafter. Fines are incremental, starting at $200 and rising up to $2,500, with seizure limited to imminent danger, court order or as authorized by state law.
During public comment, resident Dale Mottola asked whether the town requires animal licensing. McMillen clarified that "currently, the town has no licensing requirements for animals other than dogs," and that dogs must be registered with proof of rabies vaccination following New York State Agriculture Law guidelines. Resident Claudia Bakhtiary asked whether the law would cover rescue or foster arrangements; McMillen said temporary fostering by residents (for example to rehabilitate dogs or kittens) is generally acceptable within the code's animal‑count limits, while formal rescue operations or businesses would be treated differently.
The board voted to keep the public hearing open and directed staff to post Version 2 of the draft and a "What’s Changed" summary on the town website; the hearing was set to remain open until March 11, 2026 at 7:00 p.m. The Board adopted the motion 4 Ayes, 0 Nays, 1 Absent.
