[Adopted 5-6-2013 ATM by Art. 19]
The following terms shall have the meanings herein given:
AT LARGE
Means unaccompanied by a responsible person.
ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICER
Means that person appointed by the Selectmen or otherwise
serving in the capacity of Animal Control Officer for the Town of
Westwood.
OESTRUS CYCLE
Means the technical term for the common expression "in heat."
OUT OF CONTROL
Means accompanied by a person not exerting the proper supervision.
RESTRAINED
Means 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 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 except for those offenses set forth in §
184-4A(5) and
(6) shall be $25 for the first offense, $50 for the second offense and $75 for each subsequent offense. The penalty for violations of any of the provisions listed in §
184-4A(5) and
(6) shall be a mandatory penalty of $50 for the first offense and $100 for each subsequent offense.
If the Animal Control Officer determines that a dog in her oestrus
cycle is attracting other dogs to the area, which conditions cause
disturbances on or damage to neighboring property or public areas,
he 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 the Animal Control Officer of Westwood
and/or others who may be appointed from time to time by the Board
of Selectmen 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.