The Town Board of the Town of Stanford finds that the running
at large and other uncontrolled behavior of licensed and unlicensed
dogs has caused physical harm to persons, damage to property and have
created nuisances with the Town. The purpose of this chapter 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 Town.
This chapter is enacted pursuant to the provisions of Article
7 of the Agriculture and Markets Law, as amended by L. 2010, c. 59,
Part T and the Municipal Home Rule Law of the State of New York.
The title of this chapter shall be "Dog Control Law of the Town
of Stanford."
As used in this chapter the following words shall have the following
respective meanings:
DOG
Male and female, licensed and unlicensed, members of the
species Canis familiaris.
DANGEROUS DOG
A dog which qualifies as dangerous pursuant to the provisions
of the Agriculture and Markets Law.
DOG CONTROL OFFICER
A person authorized by the Town Board to enforce the provisions
of this chapter. The Dog Control Officer shall have the power to execute
the provisions of this chapter, including service of a summons, the
service of an appearance ticket pursuant to and in accordance with
§ 126 of the Agriculture and Markets Law of the State of
New York and the service and execution of any other order of process,
to appear and prosecute any matter arising under this chapter or Article
7 of the Agriculture and Markets Law.
IDENTIFICATION TAG (ID TAG)
A tag issued by the Town Clerk to the owner of a specific
dog, containing a number, the name of the licensing municipality (Town
of Stanford), the state name, the contact phone number for the Town
Clerk's office, and any other information as the Town Clerk of the
Town of Stanford may deem appropriate.
OWNER
Person entitled to claim lawful custody and possession of
a dog who is responsible for-purchasing the license for such dog unless
the dog is or has been lost, and such loss was promptly reported to
the dog control officer and a reasonable search has been made. If
a dog 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 dog which is kept brought or comes within the
Town. Any person owning or harboring a dog for a period of one week
prior to the filing of any complaint charging a violation of this
chapter shall be held in and deemed to be the owner of any dog found
to be in violation of this chapter shall be under 18 years of age,
the head of the household in which said minor shall be to have custody
and control of said dog and shall be responsible for any acts of the
said dog in violation of this chapter.
RUN AT LARGE
To be in a public place or on private land without the knowledge,
consent, and approval of the owner of such lands.
TOWN
The Town of Stanford.
It shall be unlawful for any owner of any dog in the Town to
permit or allow such dog to:
A. Run at large unless the dog is accompanied by its owner or a responsible
person and under the full control of such owner or person. For the
purpose of this chapter, a dog or dogs hunting in the company of a
hunter or hunters shall be considered as accompanied by its owner.
B. Engage in habitual and loud howling, barking, crying or whining or
conduct as to unreasonably and habitually disturb the comfort or repose
of any person other than the owner of such dog.
C. Uproot, dig, or otherwise damage any vegetables, lawns, flowers,
garden beds, or other property without the consent or approval of
the owner.
D. Chase, jump upon or otherwise harass any person in such manner as
to reasonably cause intimidation or fear or to put such person in
reasonable apprehension of bodily harm. Chase, jump upon, or at, attack
or otherwise harass any other animal whether or not it caused such
animal physical or bodily harm.
E. Habitually chase, run alongside of or bark at motor vehicles, motorcycles
or bicycles while on a public street, highway, or place, or upon private
property without the consent or approval of the owner of such property.
F. Create a nuisance by defecating, urinating or digging on public property,
or on private property without the consent or approval of the owner
of such property.
G. If a female dog, when in heat, be off the owner's premises, unrestrained
by a leash.
H. Not be licensed as required by §
75-6.
Any person convicted of a violation of this chapter shall be
liable for a civil penalty of $50 for a first violation; of $100 for
a second violation; and $150 for each subsequent violation.