[Adopted 12-1-2010 by L.L. No. 2-2010[1]]
[1]
Editor's Note: This local law also repealed former Art. II,
Dog License Fees, adopted 1-19-1991 by L.L. No. 1-1991, as amended.
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:
Male and female, licensed and unlicensed, members of the
species Canis familiaris.
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.
A.
All dogs in the Town of Milton must be licensed with the Town Clerk
by the age of four months and are required to present a current certificate
of rabies vaccination at the time of licensing or at the renewal of
any existing license. All dogs within the Town of Milton shall, at
all times, wear current tags for the purpose of proper identification.
B.
All dog licenses are nontransferable and will be for a period of
one year, expiring at the end of the month of the date of issue. The
owner of each dog required to be licensed shall obtain, complete and
return to the Town Clerk a dog license application, together with
the license application fee, any applicable surcharges, and any additional
fees as may be established by the Town or state. Each and every application
shall be accompanied by proof positive of current valid vaccination
against rabies, or a statement from a licensed veterinarian that such
vaccination would endanger the dog's life.
C.
Fees for licensing of dogs.
[Amended 6-1-2011 by L.L. No. 2-2011; 4-28-2021 by L.L. No. 2-2021]
(1)
The fee for a spayed or neutered dog will be $13.50, which includes
the assessment of a surcharge of $1 for the purpose of carrying out
animal population control. The fee for an unspayed or unneutered dog
will be $20.50, which includes the assessment of $3 for the purpose
of carrying out animal population control.
(2)
There will be a multiple dog discount available for households with
five or more dogs. The fee for such licensing shall be $10 per animal
plus the required surcharge of $3 for unaltered dogs and $1 for altered
dogs. All dogs must have the same renewal month to be eligible for
this discount.
(3)
A license for any guide dog, service dog, hearing dog, detection
dog, war dog, working search dog, police dog or therapy dog is required,
but no license fee shall be charged, so long as proper proof is submitted.
(4)
A late fee will be charged for all dog licenses not renewed within
one month of the expiration date of the license.
(5)
An additional fee will be charged for any dog found to be unlicensed
by the Animal Control Officer.
(6)
All fees relating to the licensing of dogs shall be set forth in
the Town of Milton Fee Schedule.
(7)
The Town Board may, by resolution, change any of the foregoing fees
if deemed necessary.
D.
The Town of Milton may contract with an animal shelter to license
dogs adopted by residents of the Town of Milton.
E.
All dog licenses may be purchased and obtained by visiting the office
of the Town Clerk or by regular mail. When licensing or renewing a
license by mail, the appropriate fees must accompany the forms. All
fees shall be nonrefundable.
F.
Fees for seizure of dogs. The fee for seizure and impoundment of
dogs in violation of this law or the New York State Department of
Agriculture and Markets laws shall be set forth in § 117
of the Agriculture and Markets Law.
G.
The Town of Milton reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to
contract with the local or county animal shelter for issuance of dog
licenses directly by the shelter, under terms, conditions, and for
durations as the Town may deem advisable.
H.
A dog participating in a dog show shall be exempt from the identification
requirement of this chapter and of § 111 of the Agriculture
and Markets Law; however, said exemption shall apply only while showing
during said dog show participation.
I.
The dog owner shall notify the Town in the event of the change of
ownership of the dog, or in the event the dog has been lost or stolen.
Failure to do so is a 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.
