[Adopted 5-6-2013 ATM by Art. 19; amended in its entirety 5-6-2024 ATM by Art. 24]
The following terms shall have the meanings herein given:
AT LARGE
Unaccompanied by a responsible person.
ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICER
That person appointed by the Town Administrator or otherwise
serving in the capacity of Animal Control Officer (shall mean in their
absence or unavailability the Chief of Police/designee) for the Town
of Westwood.
OESTRUS CYCLE
The technical term for the common expression "in heat."
OUT OF CONTROL
Accompanied by a person not exerting the proper supervision.
RESTRAINED
Being kept leashed when outside the bounds, or fenced within
the bounds of the property of the owner or keeper.
If any person shall make a complaint in writing (Note: A supply of forms which may be used for this purpose shall be available from the Town Clerk, Animal Control Officer, or police station.) and under oath to the Animal Control Officer of Westwood that any dog has committed a violation of any of the provisions listed in §
184-4, the Animal Control Officer shall investigate such complaint and after finding such violation shall cause such dog to be impounded or restrained and cause the owner or keeper of such dog to receive a written warning or pay a penalty as set forth in §
184-3. The Animal Control Officer shall keep a written record of each such investigation and shall provide a copy thereof to the owner or keeper of the dog and the complainant.
The penalty imposed upon an owner or keeper of a dog which has committed a violation of any of the provisions listed in §
184-4 shall be $50 for the first offense, $100 for the second offense, $300 for the third offense, and $500 for the fourth offense and
for each subsequent offense.
If the Animal Control Officer determines that a dog in the oestrus
cycle is attracting other dogs to the area, which conditions cause
disturbances on or damage to neighboring property or public areas,
the Animal Control Officer may impound the dog for the duration of
the oestrus cycle, releasing it thereafter to the owner or keeper
upon payment of penalties, if applicable, and upon payment of pound
fees; as an alternative, the Animal Control Officer may require that
the owner, or keeper, place and keep such a dog, while in such cycle,
in a kennel or remove it from the area so that the nuisance is abated.
This bylaw shall be enforced by the Animal Control Officer of
Westwood and/or others who may be appointed from time to time by the
Select Board of Westwood for such purpose.
In addition to the foregoing and not in limitation thereof,
the Animal Control Officer shall impound any dog found at large.