New York Consolidated Laws, General Municipal Law - GMU § 88. Disposition of stray or unwanted dogs by municipality

1. A municipality may by local law or ordinance provide that stray or unwanted dogs be given to an agency which trains seeing eye dogs or to a police department which trains dogs as guards.

2. The agency or department may by written order requisition in lieu of destruction or intended destruction, unlicensed, unwanted or unclaimed dogs which may be seized and impounded pursuant to law.

3. Any animal so requisitioned shall be retained within the pound for at least five days in addition to the period within which it may be claimed by its owner, and if still unclaimed may then be given to such requisitioner.

4. Licensed dogs surrendered to the municipality or an animal shelter shall not be requisitioned without the written consent of the owner obtained at the time of the surrender.