Animal Control Services

Animal Control Officer (ACO): Lynn Meager
Phone: 518-915-3677
Public Safety Office: (518) 664-9884 EXT 5

The primary function of the animal control officer (ACO) is to enforce both the New York State Agricultural & Markets Laws and The City of Mechanicville Ordinances relating to dogs. Our office is responsible for investigating bite cases and enforcing quarantine regulations according to public health law. We also do preliminary investigations when allegations are made of animal abuse or neglect.

The Public Safety Office as well as the Animal Control Officer, does not deal with nuisance wildlife complaints (i.e. wildlife which has setup housekeeping in/on residents’ homes, outbuildings or property). These inquiries should be directed to a pest control service specializing in nuisance wildlife removal.

The Animal Control Officer cannot pickup stray cats - New York State Law indicates that cats are ‘free to roam’, therefore we have no legal authority to pickup and transport cats believed to be without owners. However, a resident acting as a "Good Samaritan" in the best interest of the animal(s) may transport the animal to an animal shelter.

New York State Law requires that all dogs 4 months of age or older and resident in the state for more than 30 days be licensed. These licenses must be renewed yearly. The law also requires that the dog’s license tag be firmly attached to the dog’s collar or harness and worn at all times. Licenses may be obtained at the Accounts Office for the following fees: $10.00 for spayed or neutered dogs, $20.00 for "intact" dogs (dogs which are able to breed).

  • Proof of current rabies vaccination is required at time of licensing.
  • An owner of a spayed/neutered dog needs to provide the certificate of spaying/neutering when licensing the dog.
  • If the dog was previously licensed anywhere in New York State, the license number is required.

70-3. Running at Large; noise; disposal of feces; playgrounds.

A. Leash required. No person owning, harboring, or having the care, custody, or charge of any dog, whether male or female, whether licensed or not, shall allow or permit such dog at any time to run at large within the City of Mechanicville unless such dog shall be effectively restrained by a chain or leash not exceeding eight feet in length and by a competent person.

B. Noisy dogs. No owner of a dog or of a duly approved kennel within the City of Mechanicville shall suffer or permit any dog or dogs to create any unreasonably loud or disturbing noise of such an intensity and duration as to be detrimental to the life, health or welfare of any individual, and the violation hereof is prohibited and deemed to be a public nuisance, and such dog or dogs shall be so housed and confined in a place so constructed as to prevent such disturbing and unnecessary noise as may result from the habitual or continual barking of such dog or dogs. The provisions of this subsection shall be liberally construed to prevent excessive, unreasonable, disturbing and unnecessary noise, with due consideration being given to the circumstances, time of day and particular location of each violation and the demands of the public health, safety and welfare.

C. Disposal of feces. No person owning, harboring, keeping, or in charge of any dog shall cause, suffer or allow such dog to soil, defile, defecate on, or commit any nuisance on any common thoroughfare, sidewalk, passageway, bypath, play area, park, or any place where people congregate or walk or upon any private property without the permission of the owner of said property. The restriction in this subsection shall not apply to that portion of the street lying between the curb lines, which shall be used to curb such dog under the following conditions:

(1) The person who allows the dog to defecate shall immediately remove all feces deposited by such dog.

(2) The feces removed from the aforementioned designated area shall be disposed of by the person owning, harboring, keeping, or in charge of any dog curbed by flushing the same down a sanitary sewer system or by use of a chemical container causing disintegration. In the event that a chemical container is used, ultimate disposal must be made in accordance with Department of Environmental Conservation regulations concerning solid waste disposal.

D. Playgrounds. No dogs shall be allowed in city playgrounds.  

All animals transported by Mechanicville Animal Control are brought to the Saratoga County Animal Shelter located at 6010 County Farm Road, Ballston Spa, NY 12020. The phone number is (518) 885-4113, and the shelter is open Mon.-Sat. 10-4, closed Sundays and holidays. The shelter also sponsors rabies vaccination clinics several times each year, and posts pictures of animals available for adoption. For more information click here.