This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the "Animal
Control Ordinance of Ogunquit."
The purpose of this chapter is to protect the public health,
safety, and welfare through regulation of animals and their activity.
[Amended 6-8-2021 ATM by Art.
9]
Town authority to enact this chapter is found generally in Title
30-A of the Maine Revised Statutes, the police power to enact ordinances.
The State of Maine has also delegated specific authority to regulate
dogs and their activity. This authority is found in Title 7, Agriculture
and Animals. Besides this delegation of authority, the State of Maine
has enacted other statutes governing animals, and these statutes are
also found in Title 7 of the Maine Revised Statutes.
As used in this chapter, the words listed below shall have the
following definitions:
Any of the other classes of animal life, including birds
and reptiles.
Off the premises of the owner and not under the control of
any person whose personal presence and attention would reasonably
control the conduct of the animal.
[Amended 6-9-2009 ATM]
Any person, firm, organization, association, or corporation
owning, keeping, or harboring an animal.
Any mammalian animal larger than a domestic cat.
Any person who has possession or custody of a dog.
[Amended 6-9-2009 ATM]
The standard for voice control is the following: a dog must
return immediately to the owner upon the owner calling the dog to
him or her and remain by the side of the responsible party. If a dog
approaches within 10 feet of any person other than the responsible
party, that dog is not under voice control and a violation of this
chapter occurs unless such person (or, in the case of a minor child,
an adult present with the child) has communicated to the responsible
party, by word or gesture, that he or she consents to the presence
of the dog.
[Amended 6-9-2009 ATM]
