[Adopted 4-5-2006]
The Animal Control Officer (hereinafter called "ACO") is authorized to require all dogs in the Town of Middleton to be licensed in accordance with MGL c 140, § 137. The ACO is authorized to require all Middleton dogs and cats to be vaccinated against rabies by a licensed veterinarian and to require their owners or keepers to retain proof of said vaccination supplied by a veterinarian. Whosoever violates the provisions of this section shall be subject to a fine in accordance with MGL c 140, § 173, of $50.
The Animal Control Officer is authorized to require owners or keepers of dogs to keep such dogs from becoming a public nuisance. The ACO is further authorized to require owners or keepers of dogs to restrain their dogs from running at large or loose. The ACO is required to enforce this requirement with uniformity.
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
AT LARGE or LOOSE
A dog which is off the property of its owner or keeper and is:
A. 
Unaccompanied by a person of adequate age and discretion to properly control its actions;
B. 
Unrestrained by a leash or chain of less than eight feet in length;
C. 
A danger to persons or property as determined by the ACO.
NUISANCE
Animal behavior which constitutes a nuisance includes but is not limited to the following: molesting a passerby or passing vehicles (including bicycles), attacking persons or domestic animals, trespassing on public or private property or damaging public or private property, and barking, whining or howling in an excessive, continuous or untimely fashion.
A. 
Dog control fines:
[Amended 3-15-2016; 3-29-2016]
(1) 
First offense: punishable by a fine of $25.
(2) 
Second offense: punishable by a fine of $50.
(3) 
Third and subsequent offenses: punishable by a fine of $100.
B. 
Domestic animal killing another domestic animal:
(1) 
First offense: punishable by a fine of $10. A public hearing shall be held by the Board of Selectmen on each complaint.
(2) 
Second offense: punishable by the maximum fine permissible per MGL c. 140, § 173, $50, and destruction of the dog or placement with another owner. A public hearing shall be held by the Board of Selectmen on each complaint.