As used in this chapter, the following terms
shall be defined as follows:
Any animal shall be deemed to be at large when he is off
the property of his owner and not under restraint as hereinafter defined.
The person employed by the Town as its officer for the enforcement
of this chapter, and shall include any police officer of the Town
or any other person designated by the Town Council.
Any premises designated by action of the Town Council for
the purpose of impounding and caring for all animals found running
at large in violation of this chapter.
An animal has been exposed to rabies within the meaning of
this chapter if it has been bitten by, or been exposed to, any animal
known to have been infected with rabies.
Any person, group of persons or corporation engaged in the
commercial business of breeding, buying, selling or boarding dogs.
An animal is leashed within the meaning of this chapter when
it has a cord, chain or leash attached to or affixed to its collar
or harness, and is held or being led by a person capable of controlling
the animal.
Any person, group of persons or corporation owning, keeping
or harboring an animal.
An animal is under restraint within the meaning of this chapter
when it is leashed, within a motor vehicle, on the property of its
owner or keeper, or on the property of a person other than its owner
or keeper, provided that such person is agreeable to the animal's
presence.[1]
A.Â
Hospitals, clinics and other premises operated by
licensed veterinarians for the care and treatment of animals are exempt
from the provisions of this chapter, except where expressly stated.
B.Â
The licensing and vaccination requirements of this
chapter shall not apply to any dog or cat belonging to a nonresident
of the Town and kept within the Town for not longer than 30 days,
provided that all such dogs shall at all times be kept under restraint
by the owner.
A.Â
Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, any
person convicted of violating any provision of this chapter shall
be punished by the payment of a pecuniary penalty as follows:
B.Â
Such pecuniary penalties shall be recovered by an
action of debt, or by complaint and warrant, to the use of the Town.
The provisions of this chapter shall be enforced
by the Animal Control Officer or any police officer of the Town.
All complaints made under the provisions of
this chapter shall be made to the Animal Control Officer and may be
made verbally; provided, however, that such complaint shall be within
48 hours, reduced to writing on forms provided by the Animal Control
Officer and shall be signed by the complainant showing his or her
address and telephone number, if any; and provided, further, that
any complaint made by a police officer need not be reduced to writing
as provided in this section.
In the discharge of the duties imposed by this
chapter, the Animal Control Officer or police officer shall have the
authority at all reasonable times to enter upon any premises (but
such authority does not include the right to enter any residence on
such premises) to examine any animal which is allegedly in violation
of any provision of this chapter. The said officers shall have the
further authority to take possession of any animal and remove it from
the premises.
No person shall interfere with, hinder or molest
the Animal Control Officer in the performance of his/her duties, to
seek to release any animal in the custody of the Animal Control Officer,
except as provided in this chapter.
A.Â
It shall be the duty of the Animal Control Officer
to keep, or cause to be kept, accurate and detailed records of all
bite cases reported to him or her and the results of the investigation
of such cases.
B.Â
It shall be the duty of the Animal Control Officer
to keep, or cause to be kept, accurate and detailed records of the
impoundment and disposition of all animals coming into his or her
custody.