[Ord. No. 2387, 9-2-2008]
Animal control's primary responsibility is the safety of
all residents and animals within the Town of Windham limits and enforcement
of local and state ordinances regarding animals including:
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Acting as an interface with other agencies dealing with dogs,
cats, birds and other domestic animals;
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Working with authorities to obtain emergency veterinary assistance
for injured dogs and cats;
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Enforcing all town ordinances pertaining to domestic animals;
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Patrolling problem areas in town;
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Bite investigations;
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Cruelty investigations;
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Noise complaints;
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Rabies control.
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** As permitted by G.S. § 435**
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Animal control is committed to finding each animal in our care
permanent and loving homes for each animal that passes a temperament
test.
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Adoptions:
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Windham Animal Control will advertise adoptable pets on any
available media resource. Each animal that comes into our care, whose
owner is unknown, is advertised, by law, in the local newspaper, for
one day, in the lost and found section; and after the seventh day
has passed and no owner has come forward to claim the pet, animal
control will determine if the animal would be suitable for adoption.
Animal control, in cooperation with pet non-profit groups, has an
obligation to find the best possible home for the pet, provided that
the pet is suitable for adoption. This obligation to the pet is in
conjunction with what is best for the community. New owners are screened
by animal control or designee to make sure proper care of the animal
will take place. This may be done in cooperation with local pet groups.
Making sure that both the new owner and pet are right for each other
is our utmost goal.
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Licensing:
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DOGS
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All dogs over the age of six months must be licensed each year.
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Spayed or neutered license: $8 (per G.S. § 22-238).
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Hobby breeders license: $50 up to 10 dogs.
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a.
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Dogs used for show or events, or registered with AKC or other
recognized registry,
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b.
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Dogs with kennel license.
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Commercial and hobby kennel license: $52 up to 10 dogs, $104
over 10 dogs (per CGS).
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a.
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Required by CGS for any breeder who has more than two litters
per year.
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b.
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Windham zoning regulations state that anyone with three or more
dogs, intact or not, must have a kennel license.
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Home breeders fine: $100 per litter.
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a.
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Dogs not used for show events, or not registered with AKC or
other recognized registry.
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Intact license: $19 (per G.S. § 22-238).
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Surrender fee: $50.
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CATS
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Waivers may be permitted for caretakers of feral colonies or
cat rescue, on an individual basis.
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Hobby breeders license: $50 up to 10 cats.
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a.
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Cats used for show or events, or registered with a recognized
registry.
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Unaltered cat license: $65.
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Home breeders fine: $100 per litter.
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Surrender fee: $50.
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There is a late fee of $1 per month.
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All dogs and cats three months and older must be vaccinated
for rabies.
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Proof of spay or neuter must be provided.
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All licensing, fees and fines will be distributed into the animal
care and education fund except for those amounts regulated to be paid
to the State of Connecticut per CGS.
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(1)
No owner or keeper of any dog shall allow such dog to roam at large
and shall at all times keep such dog under restraint either by leash
or by keeping the dog in an enclosure or on the property of the owner.
Any leash or enclosure shall be reasonably sufficient to so restrain
the dog.
(2)
Impoundment of dogs at large. Any dog not controlled or confined
as prescribed by the provisions of this section may be taken by police,
dog warden or other property authority.
(3)
Violation. Any person who violates any provision of this section
shall be punished in accordance with G.S. 1-7.
(4)
No owner or keeper of any cat/kitten shall allow such cat/kitten
to roam at large if the cat or kitten is not spayed or altered. Any
such owner or keeper who violates this section will be subject to
a citation and a fine of $90 by the animal control officer.
[Ord. No. 2387, 9-2-2008]
(a)
Dog fees for the town shall be charged for the following: Redemption
from the pound; shelter and food; medical care by veterinarian; advertising
lost dogs; roaming at large; leash law ordinance violation; and failure
to have license on the dog.
(b)
Such fees are set, from time to time, by the board of selectman and
a schedule of the fees is on file in the office of the Town Clerk.
[Ord. No. 2387, 9-2-2008]
(a)
It shall be unlawful for any person owning, keeping, walking or in
control of any dog or other animal to allow or permit such animal
to defecate upon any private property owned by another person, condominium
common elements or public property, including, but not limited to,
sidewalks, parks and school grounds unless such person shall remove
all feces so deposited by such animal before leaving the immediate
premises.
(b)
Any person walking or in control of any dog or other animal shall
have in his/her possession proper equipment to scoop up the fecal
debris. Failure to have such equipment shall be punishable by fine
as herein specified.
(c)
The chief executive officer to the town or his/her designee, the
Chief of Police or his/her designee, or the animal control officer
or his/her designee shall enforce the enforcement of this section.
(d)
Any violation of this section shall be punishable by a fine of $25
on the first offense, $50 on the second offense, and $99 on the third
offense and all offenses following.
[Ord. No. 2387, 9-2-2008]
(a)
No person shall own, harbor or keep a cat over the age of six months,
which has not been spayed or neutered, unless such person holds an
unaltered cat license.
(b)
Any person intentionally providing care or sustenance for a cat shall
be presumed to be the keeper and shall comply with this section. The
animal control officer for good cause shall make an exception. An
example of good cause is a case of illegal dumping of one or more
cats on a person's property.
(c)
Any owner of an unaltered cat who has been cited or fined by the
animal control officer for failing to obtain a permit shall have his
or her citation or fine dismissed if proof of altering in the form
of an official neuter or spay certificate presented within 30 days
of the issuance of the citation or the owner obtains the necessary
unaltered cat license with 30 days of the issuance of the citation,
providing that the animal has not reproduced.
(d)
Individuals who are aware of cat abandonment are encouraged to notify
the animal control office of said event.
(e)
A person will not be subject to a penalty for having an unaltered
animal on the premises if he-she is willing to surrender it to the
animal control officer before the citation is issued. Notwithstanding
the foregoing, the person shall pay a surrendering fee of $50.
[Ord. No. 2387, 9-2-2008]
(a)
Any person who violates this article shall be given notice of such
violation. If such violation is not cured within 30 days of such notice,
the animal control officer will issue a citation against such person.
The penalty for violation of this article shall be $90, payable to
the municipal animal care and education fund. If the violation is
not corrected within 30 days the fine shall double and the animal
control officer may issue, without further notice, additional citations
for each day of the continuing violations, each of which shall be
considered separate and distinct offenses. If the amount owed by one
person for violations exceeds $250, the animal control officer my
file a notice or certificate of lien against the property of the person,
which shall bear interest at the rate of 18% per annum until paid
in full and may be foreclosed in the same manner as real property
tax lien.
(b)
The animal control officer may, at his/her discretion, waive the
citation and/or penalty for good cause or if the animal is surrendered.
Examples of good cause would be if this were a case of illegal dumping
of one or more cats onto a person's property.
(c)
The penalty shall not be waived if the person sells, transfers or
abandons the cat/kitten.
[Ord. No. 2387, 9-2-2008]
The Town Clerk shall administer a permit program to allow for
unaltered animals over the age of six months. A person shall be issued
a permit/license when the following conditions have been met:
(a)
The annual fee will be paid at the time of application and upon each
annual renewal.
(b)
The animal will be examined annually by a licensed veterinarian and
shown to be following the wellness program recommended by the veterinarian.
(c)
The owner complies with any applicable local/state law concerning
the care and housing of animals and has not been in violation of animal-related
ordinances-laws in the past 24 months.
(d)
The owner furnishes the Town Clerk with a signed statement stating
the owner's compliance with the following conditions:
(1)
Offspring of the unaltered animal will not be sold or adopted until
they are at least eight weeks of age.
(2)
Records will be kept documenting how many offspring were produced
and who adopted or purchased them (name, address, phone number).
(3)
Offspring must be immunized against common diseases.
(4)
The seller/adopter must disclose the intact permit/license number
in any advertisement.
[Ord. No. 2387, 9-2-2008]
Persons owning animals in the care of the following organizations
or meeting the following conditions are exempt from the provisions
of this article:
(a)
Animal shelter and rescue organizations that have implemented an
ongoing spay/neuter program.
(b)
Medical. A licensed veterinarian has determined that an animal is
medically unsuited to undergo the surgical procedure and has signed
a statement to that effect specifying the medical grounds for the
exemption.
(c)
Temporary medical. The veterinarian may specify a temporary medical
condition, including the prognosis of when the surgery may be performed,
which shall become the expiration date of the temporary exemption.
(d)
Transitory status. An animal is temporarily in the town to participate
in a show or event sponsored by a nonprofit, sanctioned animal organization.
(e)
Any municipal official or employee acting in his or her official
capacity.
[Ord. No. 2387, 9-2-2008]
There is hereby established an animal care and education fund;
in conjunction with G.S. 22-237 (and any other operable state statute);
that will be managed, except as provided herein, in accord with the
ordinary procedures governing the town's other funds. All fees
and penalties collected under this provision shall be deposited into
the fund. The fund will also accept private and public donations.
The purpose of the fund shall be to offer help regarding animal care
and education for town residents through town sanctioned events. Additionally,
the animal control officer shall maintain a current list of resources
for reduced-price spay or neuter services for distribution to residents
of the town.
[Ord. No. 2387, 9-2-2008]
Any person issued a ticket for violating any of the provisions
of this article may appeal the fine to the public safety committee
or a code appeal board of the town. The decision of the public safety
committee or the code appeal board will be final. Payment will be
due one month from decision.
