[HISTORY: Adopted by the City Council of the City of West
Haven 6-28-1982 by Ord. No. 185. Amendments noted where applicable.]
The purpose of this chapter is to ensure safe and proper control
over dogs located in the City of West Haven. This chapter has been
adopted to protect the health, safety and welfare of the inhabitants
of the City of West Haven and to ensure adequate care and protection
of dogs within the City of West Haven.
The provisions of this chapter are supplemented in some instances
by Chapter 435 of the Connecticut General Statutes,[1] which applies to the control of dogs in the State of Connecticut.
[1]
Editor's Note: See Connecticut General Statutes, § 22-327
et seq.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
Off the premises of the owner and not under the control of
the owner, a member of his immediate family or an individual authorized
by said owner, either by leash, cord or chain of sufficient strength
to maintain a dog.
Both male, female, neutered and spayed dogs.
Any person or persons, firm, association or corporation owning,
keeping or harboring a dog.
The designated Dog Warden of the City of West Haven or the
duly authorized assistants.
[Amended 9-28-2020]
No person owning or having custody of a dog shall permit such
dog to roam at large to the injury or annoyance of others; "annoyance"
specifically including the fouling of the City's sidewalks, streets,
footpaths or beaches. If the dog does foul the area, the owner shall
be responsible for cleaning it up. Nor shall such dog be permitted
at large upon the streets and other public ways and playgrounds of
the City without the owner having control of such dog either by leash,
cord or chain, not to be extended beyond six feet in length. Such
action is deemed to be a nuisance and a danger to the public health
and safety.
Any dog roaming at large shall be immediately transported to
the animal shelter. The Dog Warden shall make a complete registry,
entering the breed, color and sex of such dog and whether licensed.
If licensed, he shall enter the name and address of the owner and
the number of the license tag. Licensed dogs shall be separated from
unlicensed dogs whenever possible.
Not later than 24 hours after the impoundment of any dog, the
owner shall be notified, or, if the owner of the dog is unknown, a
notice describing the dog shall be published once in the lost-and-found
column of a newspaper having general circulation in the City of West
Haven. The owner of the dog so impounded may reclaim such dog in the
manner prescribed in Section 22-333 of the Connecticut General Statutes.
It shall be the duty of the Dog Warden to keep all dogs so impounded
for a period of seven days from the date of notice to the owner or
publication of the notice. If such dog is not redeemed within said
period and if found to be in satisfactory health, the Dog Warden may
release such dog in accordance with Section 22-333 of the General
Statutes of Connecticut. Any dog which appears to be suffering from
rabies or an infectious or dangerous disease shall not be released
but forthwith destroyed.
[Amended 1-8-2007]
Any person, firm, association or corporation violating any provisions
of this chapter will be fined, upon conviction, in the amount of $100.
[Added 9-9-1996 by Ord. No. 362]
No person shall own or harbor a dog or dogs within the City
of West Haven which is or are a nuisance by reason of vicious disposition
or excessive barking or other disturbance or, by such barking or other
disturbance, is or are a source of annoyance to any sick person residing
in the immediate vicinity.
[Added 9-28-2020]
Nothing in this chapter shall exclude the ability of dog owners
to use the designated dog park(s) in the City of West Haven and while
in the designated area(s) remove any restraints from their dog(s),
incurring all liability for such dog's actions. Such areas in
the City will be designated and posted as dog park(s) and shall also
have a written set(s) of rules clearly posted at the entrance(s).
