As used in this article, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
ANIMAL All species of mammals, except humans, and all species of birds.
ANIMAL SHELTER Any municipally owned or operated facility maintained for the confinement of dogs and other animals.
[Amended 6-14-1988 by L.L. No. 24-1988]
MOTOR VEHICLE Includes any vehicle which is self-propelled and any trailer which is attached to a self-propelled vehicle.
Nothing in this article shall be construed so as to prohibit the transportation of horses, cattle, sheep, poultry or other agricultural livestock in trailers or other vehicles designed and constructed for such purposes.
[Amended 6-14-1988 by L.L. No. 24-1988]
Any police officer, peace officer or
animal control officer of the County of Suffolk or of any municipality located within the County of Suffolk who finds an
animal in a motor vehicle in violation of §
299-2 of this article may break and enter the motor vehicle following established Long Island veterinarian guidelines, without civil or criminal liability, to remove the
animal. The person so removing the
animal shall take said
animal or cause said
animal to be delivered to the municipal shelter of the town involved. The person shall, in the event that the owner or custodian of said
animal cannot be otherwise contacted, leave in a prominent place in the motor vehicle a written notice bearing his name and department and the address where the
animal may be claimed by the owner thereof. The
animal shall be surrendered to the owner if the owner claims the
animal within five days from the time the
animal was removed from the motor vehicle and pays all reasonable charges which have accrued for the maintenance of the
animal. The municipal shelter having custody of the
animal shall make reasonable efforts to contact the owner and give notice that the
animal is in its custody and that the
animal may be reclaimed by the owner upon payment of the reasonable maintenance charges. If the owner does not reclaim the
animal within the specified time, the municipal shelter may dispose of the
animal in accordance with prevailing laws and regulations.
Any person who violates §
299-2 of this article shall be guilty of a violation punishable by a fine not to exceed $250.