The responsibilities of the Westchester County Department of Health include:
- the assessment of human and/or pet exposure to rabies
- rabies treatment
- testing rabies suspect animals
- the investigation of animal bites and quarantines
The Health Department does not trap or capture wild or stray animals. Town police departments or Wildlife Trappers (for a fee) may provide this service.
Health Department regular business hours are Monday - Friday 8:30 am - 4:30 pm.
Animal Vector: (914) 864-7359
Public Health Nurses: (914) 813-5159
Evenings, weekends and holidays (914) 813-5000
Responsibilities of local municipalities
The municipality is responsible for domestic animal control, such as enforcement of the dangerous dog law and leash laws where they exist. Some towns have part-time dog control officers who report to the police department. Others have full-time animal control officers that respond to specific circumstances. Call your local municipality for information on your particular community.
Responsibilities of the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC)
The DEC is charged with protecting, conserving and improving the environment and natural resources of New York State. This is accomplished through education, law enforcement and licensing. The DEC licenses nuisance wildlife trappers and animal rehabilitators.