Town of Huntington Approves Code Changes for Treatment of Animals

The Huntington Town board approved revisions Tuesday to its Town Code that have to deal with animals, including the proper disposal of waste and the length of time animals can be restrained outdoors.

The changes would require dog owners to pick up after their dogs for the first time ever. They would have to place the pet waste in a sealed plastic bag and throw out the bag in a garbage can with a cover.

The revisions would also prohibit tethering, leashing, fastening, securing, restraining, chaining or tying a dog to a stationary object outdoors for more than two continuous hours in a 12-hour period.

The new pet waste restrictions is meant to protect the waters of Northport Harbor, Centerport Harbor, Northport Bay, Duck Island Harbor, Price’s Bend/Eaton Harbor and the people who go in them from exposure to a particular source of pathogenic bacteria.

Councilman Mark Cuthbertson sponsored the resolution for these changes.

These changes on the treatment of animals were advised by Town Attorney’s office conferred with the New York State director of the Humane Society of the United States, who offered humane methods.