How to Handle Animal Control Incidents (including loose dogs)

All animal control issues must be referred to the Dutchess County SPCA, which contracts with the Town of Red Hook to provide services to the Town of Red Hook. These services include: 

• handling nuisance animals and loose dogs
• handling and ticketing dangerous dog cases
• taking loose dogs into custody, finding their owners; and if no owner is found, boarding the dogs in DCSPCA custody until owners collect them, or until the time provided by law runs out and the dogs are offered for adoption. 

Click here to read the Town of Red Hook's Zoning Law related to dog control.

For more details on the DCSPCA, visit https://www.dcspca.org/humane-law

If the DCSPA finds your loose dog and it has identification, the DCSPCA will contact you via the identification information. If information cannot be found, the DCSPCA will hold the dog for 5 days, after which time the dog will become property of the DCSPCA. 

If you believe your dog has been collected by DCSPCA, please call (845) 452-7722, ext. 423.  

If you have a concern about an abused animal or a dangerous dog, please contact the Humane Law Office of DCSPCA: 

Office: 845.320.6002, email: humane.law@dcspca.org 

With questions about this process, please contact the Town Clerk's Office.