[Adopted 12-1-1969 as Ch. 4, Art. I, of the 1969
Code of Ordinances]
No person shall cause, permit or allow any animals or fowl to run at
large or be at large within the village.
Any person who shall violate any provision of this article shall, upon
conviction thereof, be subject to a fine of not more than $250 or to imprisonment
for not more than 15 days, or to both such fine and imprisonment.
[Adopted 6-7-1993 by L.L. No. 2-1993]
The Village Board of the Village of Owego finds that the running at
large and other uncontrolled behavior of licensed and unlicensed dogs have
caused physical harm to persons, damage to property and have created nuisances
within the village. The purpose of this article is to protect the health,
safety and well-being of persons and property by imposing restrictions on
the keeping and running at large of dogs within the village.
This article is enacted pursuant to the provisions of § 124
of the Agriculture and Markets Law of the State of New York.
The title of this article shall be the "Dog Control Law of the Village
of Owego."
As used in this article, the following words shall have the following
respective meanings:
AGRICULTURE AND MARKETS LAW
The Agriculture and Markets Law of the State of New York in effect
as of the effective date of this article, as amended by this article and as
amended thereafter.
CONFINED
That such animal is securely confined or restrained or kept on the
owner's premises, either within a building, kennel or other suitable
enclosure or securely fastened on a chain, wire or other effective tether
of such length and so arranged that the animal cannot reach or endanger any
person or any adjacent premises or on any public street, way or place; or,
if the animal is being transported by the owner, that it is securely confined
in a crate or other container or so restrained in a vehicle that it cannot
be expected to escape therefrom.
DOG
Male and female, licensed and unlicensed, members of the species
Canis familiaris.
DOG CONTROL OFFICER
Any person authorized from time to time to enforce the provisions
of this article or the provisions of the Agriculture and Markets Law of the
State of New York.
OWNER
The party purchasing the license unless the dog is or has been lost
and such loss reported to the Dog Control Officer and a reasonable search
has been made. If an animal is not licensed, the term owner shall designate
and cover any person or persons, firm, association or corporation who or which
at any time owns or has custody or control of, harbors or is otherwise responsible
for any animal which is kept, brought or comes within the village.
RECREATIONAL AREAS
Any real property owned by the Village of Owego which is used for
recreational purposes by the public, including but not limited to parks or
playgrounds.
RUN AT LARGE
To be in a public place or on private lands without the knowledge,
consent and approval of the owner of such lands.
VILLAGE
The area within the corporate limits of the Village of Owego.
[Amended 12-19-1994 by L.L. No. 5-1994]
This article shall be enforced by a Dog Control Officer as defined herein
or by the Village of Owego Police Department.
[Amended 12-19-1994 by L.L. No. 5-1994]
A. Any person who observes a dog in violation of this article
may file a complaint under oath with an enforcement agency for subsequent
filing with the Owego Village Justice specifying the nature of the violation,
the date thereof, a description of the dog and the name and residence, if
known, of the owner of the dog.
B. Upon receipt by the Owego Village Justice of any such
complaint, he shall summon the alleged owner to appear in person before him
for a hearing at which both the complainant and owner shall have an opportunity
to be represented by counsel and to present evidence. If, after such hearing,
the Owego Village Justice decides that further action is warranted, he may
order:
(1) The owner to restrain such dog by collar and leash at
all times whether on or off the owner's property.
(2) The owner to confine such dog to the premises of the
owner.
(3) Such other remedy authorized by law as may be warranted
by the circumstances in such case.
C. A violation of any order issued by an Owego Village Justice under the provisions of this section shall be an offense punishable, upon conviction thereof, as provided in §
82-11 of this article.
Except as provided in § 119 of the Agriculture and Markets
Law, any person violating any of the provisions of this article, upon conviction
thereof, shall be punishable by a fine of not more than $250 or by imprisonment
for not more than 15 days, or by both such fine and imprisonment.