[Adopted 9-19-1985 by L.L. No. 3-1985]
It appearing that dogs in the Village of Greenport
have, in some instances, been allowed to cause annoyance and damage
to the person and properties of others, and it appearing further that
dogs properly cared for serve a useful purpose, the Board of Trustees
of the Village of Greenport enacts the following chapter to preserve
the relationship between a dog and his master and, at the same time,
to protect the health, safety and property of others from annoyance
and damage caused by dogs.
For purposes of this article, the following
terms shall have the meanings indicated:
DOG
Any member of the species canis familiaris.
DOG CONTROL OFFICER
Any person appointed by the Mayor to assist in the enforcement
of this article and Article 7 of the Agriculture and Markets Law of
the State of New York as therein specified. Such person or persons
shall have all of the powers of a peace officer of the State of New
York, including service of a summons, and service of an appearance
ticket pursuant to the Agriculture and Markets Law.
OWN and OWNER
Includes any person having the right of property in a dog,
any person who keeps or harbors a dog or has in his care or who acts
as its custodian or any person who permits a dog to remain on or about
any premises occupied by him.
RUNNING AT LARGE
Any dog, licensed or unlicensed, while roaming, running or
self-hunting off the property of its owner or custodian and not under
the control of the owner or custodian by a leash not exceeding 10
feet in length.
It shall be unlawful for any owner of or any
person harboring any dog to permit or allow such a dog while in the
Village of Greenport to:
A. Run at large unless said dog, whether or not tagged
or licensed, is restrained by an adequate collar and leash, rope or
chain or within a cage or motor vehicle or unless accompanied by its
owner or a responsible person able to control the animal.
B. Engage in habitual loud howling or barking or conduct
itself in such a manner as to habitually annoy any person other than
the owner or a responsible person able to control the animal.
C. Cause damage or destruction to property or commit
a nuisance upon the premises of a person other than the owner or person
harboring such dog.
D. Chase or otherwise harass any person in such manner
as reasonably to cause intimidation or to put such person in a reasonable
apprehension of bodily harm or injury.
E. Habitually chase or bark at motor vehicles.
F. Remain in the Village unless licensed in accordance
with § 109 of the New York State Agricultural and Markets
Law.
G. It shall be unlawful for the owner or person harboring
any female dog to permit such dog to run at large when in heat, and
such dog shall be confined to enclosed premises of such person during
such period.
H. Any person attending a dog or other animal in any public place or
street (including the beach, park, or playgrounds) shall take such
action as is necessary to clean up after such dog or other animal
in an appropriate manner when such dog or other animal discharges
any substance in any public place or street (including the beach,
park or playgrounds).
[Added 2-24-2014 by L.L. No. 1-2014]
[Amended 8-15-1996 by L.L. No. 5-1996]
This article shall be enforced by the Dog Control
Officer or by the Town of Southold Police Department or any other
enforcement officer.
Any dog found running at large or which does
not have a license shall be impounded and taken to such place as may
be designated by the Board of Trustees as a place of detention and
shall there be properly fed and cared for at the expense of the Village
until disposition thereof shall have been made in accordance with
the provisions of this section.
A. Redemption.
(1) Unlicensed dogs. Upon the seizure and impounding of
any unlicensed dog, the owner of such animal, if known, may be notified
thereof. Such dog so seized and impounded shall be held for a period
of five days, during which time the owner of said dog may recover
the same by producing a license for such dog and paying the redemption
fees specified below.
B. Redemption charges. If the dog is to be redeemed,
the owner shall pay the Dog Control Officer a fee of $30 plus the
charge of $10 per day for the care of the dog while impounded.
C. Forfeiture of title to dog. If an impounded dog is
not redeemed or a trial demanded within the time hereinbefore set
forth, the owner shall forfeit title to the dog, and it may thereafter
be sold by the Village or destroyed by the appropriate official as
hereinafter provided.
D. Sale of impounded dog. The Dog Control Officer is
hereby authorized to sell any dog impounded at such price as he shall
determine to be fair and shall deposit such sum in the general fund
of the Village. The Village shall keep a record of all sales, and
such records shall be open to public inspection. Such records shall
be kept for one year.
E. Destruction of dogs. In the event that the dog is
not redeemed within the time herein set forth or in the event that
it becomes necessary to destroy a dog, the Control Officer or other
law enforcement officer shall arrange to humanely destroy and dispose
of the carcass.
No person shall molest or interfere in any way
with the Dog Control Officer or any of his duly authorized assistants
or with the duly authorized agents of any person or corporation engaged
in enforcing this article or the provisions of the Agriculture and
Markets Law and the Public Health Law relating to dogs while he or
they are engaged in the performance of their duties.
[Amended 5-16-1996 by L.L. No. 3-1996]
Any offense against the provisions of this article
shall be deemed a violation, and any person convicted of a violation
shall be liable to a maximum fine of $250 and a minimum fine of $25
or imprisonment for a term of not more than 15 days, or both. In addition,
a dog found to be dangerous may be ordered securely confined or destroyed,
in the discretion of the court.