N.Y. Agriculture & Markets Law § 123-a: Exemption from civil liability

§ 123-a. Exemption from civil liability. 1. If any dog shall, without

justification, attack a person, or behaves in a manner which a

reasonable person would believe poses a serious and unjustified imminent

threat of serious physical injury to a person, when such person is

peaceably conducting himself in a place where he may lawfully be, such

person or any other person witnessing the attack or threatened attack

may destroy such dog while so attacking, and no liability in damages or

otherwise shall be incurred on account of such destruction.

2. If any dog shall, without justification, attack a companion animal,

farm animal or domestic animal, or shall behave in a manner which a

reasonable person would believe poses a serious and unjustified imminent

threat of serious physical injury or death to a companion animal, farm

animal or domestic animal, where such animal is in any place where it

may lawfully be, the owner or caretaker of such animal, or any other

person witnessing the attack, may destroy such dog, and no liability in

damages or otherwise shall be incurred on account of such destruction.