The purpose of this article is to protect the health, safety
and well being of persons and property within the Town by providing
for the licensing and identification of all dogs.
This article is enacted pursuant to the provisions of the Agriculture
and Markets Law and the Municipal Home Rule of the State of New York.
As used in this article, the following words shall have the
following respective meanings:
DOG
Male and female, licensed and unlicensed, members of the
species Canis familiaris.
OWNER
Person entitled to claim lawful custody and possession of
a dog and 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, firms, 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 article shall be held and deemed to be the owner of any dog
found to be in violation of this chapter.
An Animal Control Officer designated by the Town Board, as provided by § 113 of the Agriculture and Markets Law, may enforce the provisions of this Chapter
63 and may also investigate and report to the Town Justice of any dangerous dog, as described in § 123 of the Agriculture and Markets Law, and see that the order or orders of the Town Justice in such case are carried out.
This article shall become effective January 1, 2011, and upon
filing with the Secretary of State.