City officials in Ithaca and Tompkins County Whole Health are urging dog owners to follow updated guidance to keep pets and people safe in urban settings.
The announcement, made Tuesday, emphasizes that responsible dog ownership is essential as more residents share limited public space downtown. Officials offered practical advice and reminders about local laws affecting pet care, including leash rules, waste disposal, and vaccination requirements.
“Urban environments like downtown Ithaca are more densely populated and often have less green space,” the guidance noted. “It is important to consider your responsibilities for owning and caring for an animal in an urban environment.”
Dog owners are advised to bag and properly dispose of pet waste to prevent the spread of disease. Free waste bags are available at public locations including the Commons, Stewart Park, Cass Park, and outside City Hall. Trash bins are located throughout the city for proper disposal.
To maintain safety, dogs must be leashed and under control in public areas. The city encourages short leashes and harnesses, and recommends training pets with commands like “sit,” “stay,” and “heel.”
Dogs also need regular outdoor activity. The city encourages at least three outings a day and suggests using parks or green areas such as the dog park at 805 Taughannock Boulevard.
Respect for service animals was another key focus. Residents are reminded to speak only to the handler, give service animals space, and avoid distractions or interference.
To enforce safety, the city reiterated existing ordinances. All dogs must be licensed and vaccinated against rabies. Dogs must not harm or intimidate people or other animals, and excessive barking that disturbs neighbors is prohibited. Non-compliance can result in fines or tickets issued by the Ithaca Police Department or Tompkins County Animal Control.
“Ithaca is a dog friendly city,” said Deputy City Manager Dominick Recckio. “Our goal reiterating this guidance is to ensure that we keep dogs and people safe. As our urban environments become denser, dog owners have an added responsibility to our neighbors and other pets.”
Mayor Robert Cantelmo added, “Our pets provide us emotional support and companionship; so it is important that we do what we can to keep them healthy and safe.”
Tompkins County also reminded residents of local resources, including free or low-cost services from the SPCA, Cornell Healthy Pet Clinic, and Tompkins County Whole Health’s rabies vaccination program. Emergency animal concerns can be directed to the county at 607-274-6688, 24 hours a day.
FingerLakes1.com is the region’s leading all-digital news publication. The company was founded in 1998 and has been keeping residents informed for more than two decades. Have a lead? Send it to [email protected].