[Adopted 6-1-2015 by L.L. No. 1-2015]
It is the policy of the Town of Kingston to secure and maintain a level of animal control that protects human health and safety, prevents animals from hindering Town employees and members of the public on Town property, prevents property damage, and, to the greatest degree practicable, prevents cruelty to animals. It is the purpose of these rules to fulfill the objectives of the above policy.
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
ANIMAL
Any living creature except human beings. This definition includes, among other things, pets.
IMMINENT DANGER
A threat to human and/or animal life or Town property that is immediate or reasonably foreseeable under the circumstances.
ORGANIC DEBRIS
Animal feces, urine, vomit, blood, etc.
OWNER
Any person having an interest in or right of possession to an animal, or any person having control, custody, or possession of an animal.
SERVICE ANIMAL
An animal, including guide dogs, individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, as defined by applicable state and/or federal laws, which includes but is not limited to guiding individuals who are blind or have low vision, alerting individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing, providing minimal protection, pulling a wheelchair, or fetching dropped items.
SERVICE ANIMAL IN TRAINING
An animal that is being trained for the purpose of assisting or accommodating an individual with a disability as defined by applicable state and/or federal laws.
TOWN PROPERTY
Property that the Town owns as well as structures that the Town operates, leases, rents, or otherwise controls.
WORKING ANIMAL
An animal that is trained for specific tasks and under the control of police, security, or emergency personnel or other Town employees or agents. Examples of working animals include, but are not limited to, patrol, rescue, or sentry dogs and therapy animals.
No person may bring dogs or other animals onto Town property for other than official purposes.
A. 
All animals brought onto Town property shall be subject to license and leash laws of the Town of Kingston.
B. 
Except as provided in Subsection B(1) through (3), no animals shall be allowed on any Town property or in any buildings or structures the Town of Kingston owns, operates, leases, rents, or controls:
(1) 
Service animals and service animals in training may be permitted consistent with Town policies and/or state and federal laws.
(2) 
Working animals under the control of police, security, or emergency personnel or a trained Town employee may be permitted for specific functions consistent with the animal's training.
(3) 
Animals included as part of special events may be permitted subject to guidelines established for specific Town facilities.
C. 
No animal which emits frequent or long-continued noise so as to disturb or disrupt normal administrative or Town routine shall be permitted on Town property. Moreover, any animal that places human and/or animal life or Town property in imminent danger shall be removed immediately from that property.
D. 
Fecal matter or other organic debris deposited by animals must be removed immediately and properly disposed of by the animal's owner.
A. 
It shall be the duty of the Animal Control Officer of the Town of Kingston to enforce this article with respect to animals on the Town of Kingston Town property.
B. 
The Animal Control Officer of the Town of Kingston shall seize any animal which is found to be in violation of any portion of this article. All complaints concerning alleged violations of this article shall be communicated to the Town Justice to proceed with civil or criminal enforcement of this article or any other provisions of law pertaining hereto.
Any violation of this article constitutes an offense. The following fines and penalties are hereby imposed, in addition to the punishments imposed by any general statutes, on every person who violates or who owns or is responsible for any animal which violates any of the foregoing requirements or provisions of this article, to wit: for a first offense, a fine of not less than $50 and not exceeding $250, and for any second or subsequent violations, a fine of at least $100 and not more than $500.