Town of Woodbridge, CT Chapter 160 Animals

[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Selectmen of the Town of Woodbridge as indicated in article histories. Amendments noted where applicable.]

Article I Dog Leashing Requirements and Removal of Dog Litter

[Adopted 12-9-1998, effective 1-9-1999 (Ch. 4, Art. XVI, of the 1983 Code); amended in its entirety 9-12-2018, effective 10-12-2018]

§ 160-1 Definitions.

As used in this article, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:

LEASH

Any humane device constructed of rope, cord, leather strap, chain or other sturdy material of sufficient strength to control the animal to which it is attached.

PUBLIC AREA

Any Town-owned park, active or passive recreational area, trail, school grounds, Town green, Town-owned buildings, or any outdoor area which is upon or within Town owned land. Notwithstanding this definition of "public area," any area designated by the Town as an "off-leash area" shall be specifically excluded from the definition of "public area."

§ 160-2 Responsibility of dog owner.

If any dog shall defecate upon any public area defined above, then the owner, keeper or other person walking the dog shall immediately remove or cause to be removed from said public area all feces deposited by said dog. The means of removal shall be any tool, implement or other device carried for the purpose of picking up and containing such feces, unexposed to said person or the public.

§ 160-3 Leash required on public area.

No owner or keeper of any dog, whether licensed or unlicensed in the Town, shall allow said dog to roam or traverse upon any public area unless said dog is under the control of its owner or keeper by a leash or similar restraint securely fastened to a collar or harness worn by the dog. The presence of a dog on any public area while not under the control of its owner or keeper by a leash or similar restraint shall be evidence of a violation of this article.

§ 160-4 Penalties for offenses.

A. Unless said feces are removed in accordance with § 160-2, the owner, keeper or other person walking the dog shall have committed a violation punishable by a fine of $25 for the first offense, $50 for the second offense and $100 for the third and each subsequent offense.

B. Any owner or keeper of a dog who is found to be in violations of § 160-3 shall be subject to a fine of $100 for the first offense and $200 for the second offense and each subsequent offense.

§ 160-5 Exemptions.

The provisions of the above sections shall not apply to a guide dog accompanying any blind persons or any physically handicapped persons who, due to their physical handicap, is unable to keep his or her dog under control on a leash.