Borough of Chester, NJ Article I Dog Control

[Adopted 4-3-1980 as Ch. V of the 1980 Code]

§ 91-1 Licensing of dogs; fees.

A. Required. Any person who shall own, keep or harbor a dog of licensing age shall in the month of January of each year, apply for and procure from the Borough Clerk a license and official metal registration tag for each such dog so owned, kept or harbored, and shall place upon such dog a collar or harness with the registration tag securely fastened thereto.

B. Fees. The person applying for the dog license and registration tag shall pay the applicable fees as set forth in Chapter 127, Fees.

[Amended by Ord. No. 80-1; Ord. No. 81-5; Ord. No. 82-1; Ord. No. 83-25; Ord. No. 96-06]

(1) In the event that owner does not apply for license and registration, on or before the last day of February, a late fee as established in Chapter 127, Fees, will be assessed, except that such fee will not be assessed against new residents for a period of three months or against dogs which come of licensing age during the licensing year.

(2) At the time of license and registration, the dog owner shall provide proof of rabies vaccination and, if applicable, proof that the dog is altered, by presenting certificates from a veterinarian or their own notarized statement.

(3) The licenses, registration tags and renewals thereof shall expire on the last day of January in each year.

C. Newly acquired dogs. The owner of any newly-acquired dog of licensing age or of any dog which attains licensing age, shall make application for license and registration tag for such dog within 10 days after such acquisition or age attainment.

§ 91-2 Control of dogs.

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

AT LARGE

Off the premises of the owner, and not under the control of the owner, or a member of his immediate family, either by leash, cord, chain or otherwise.

DOG

Both male and female, spayed or unspayed, except that this article shall not apply to puppies under seven months of age.

OWNER

Any person owning, keeping or harboring a dog.

B. Running at large. No person owning, keeping or harboring any dog or dogs shall suffer or permit it to run at large upon the public streets, or in any public park or in any public building or at any other public place within the Borough.

C. Trespass on private property. No person shall permit any dog or dogs in his care or under his control, whether on a leash or not, to go upon the lawn, yard or entrance walk or driveway of any private residence without the permission of the owner thereof.

D. Impounding. Any dog found running at large contrary to the provisions of Subsection A is subject to being impounded in the Borough pound or other suitable place.

[Amended by Ord. No. 82-1]

E. After impoundment of any dog the Dog Warden or police officer shall proceed in accordance with the terms of New Jersey Revised Statutes 4:19-15.16 et seq. and any amendments or supplements thereto.

F. Any redemption under the provisions of the aforesaid statute shall not release or discharge the owner from any other penalty herein provided for.

G. Barking or crying. No person shall keep, harbor or maintain any dog or dogs which habitually barks or cries.

§ 91-3 Violations and penalties.

[Amended by Ord. No. 81-5; 7-20-2004 by Ord. No. 2004-24]

Any person who violates or who fails or refuses to comply with this article, shall be liable for a penalty of not more than the maximum penalty set forth in the Borough general penalty provision (§ 1-17) for each and every offense, except that for the first offense the penalty shall not exceed $500.