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.