[Added 11-15-2021 ATM by Art. 17]
A. Personal Kennel License.
(1) No person shall keep more than four dogs, three months (12 weeks)
or older, for private personal use on a single premises without first
obtaining a Personal Kennel License.
(2) The maximum number of dogs allowed to be kept under a Personal Kennel
License is six.
(3) Any application for a Personal Kennel License shall be submitted
to the Town Clerk's office on a form provided by the Town Clerk.
(4) In addition to meeting all of the requirements of MGL c. 140, §§ 137A
to 137C, any person who applies for a kennel license shall:
(a)
Demonstrate that the use of the subject property as a kennel
is permitted under the Town's Zoning Bylaws;
(b)
Demonstrate that the premises will be maintained:
[1]
A minimum of 10 feet from the kennel to an adjacent property
line;
[2]
A minimum of 20 feet from the kennel to abutting habitable structure;
[3]
No less than 100 feet from a wetland;
[4]
No less than 200 feet from a high water mark of a source of
drinking water or tributary thereof; and
[5]
No less than 10 feet from an occupied dwelling on the same property
where the kennel is kept.
(5) New applicants requesting a license must notify direct abutters by
certified mail or constable. Proof of notification must be submitted
with the application.
(6) The Animal Control Officer shall inspect the facility before the
Personal Kennel License shall be issued or renewed.
(7) Each Personal Kennel License may be issued by the Town Clerk from
January 1 until December 31 of the calendar year, and the annual fee
for such shall be charged in accordance with the Town fee schedule.
(8) The personal kennel shall be maintained in sanitary condition.
(9) The personal kennel shall not cause a nuisance to others, as such
term is defined in MGL c. 140, § 136A.
(10)
The animals within the kennel shall not be found at large or
not under the control of the owner.
(11)
The kennel shall not cause a health or safety hazard to the
animals within the kennel or to the general public, or owner/operator
of the kennel.
(12)
All dogs within a personal kennel shall be vaccinated for rabies
and certificates must be produced for inspection when requested.
B. Commercial Kennel Licenses.
(1) No person shall operate a Commercial Boarding or Training Kennel,
or Commercial Breeder Kennel, as defined in MGL c. 140, § 136A,
without first obtaining a Commercial Kennel License.
(2) In addition to meeting all of the requirements of MGL c. 140, §§ 137A
to 137C, applications for a new Commercial Kennel License shall be
submitted to the Town Clerk's office, on a form provided by the
Town Clerk, along with two copies of interior and exterior plans of
the kennel, as well as a plot plan.
(3) No new Commercial Kennel License will be issued until proof is submitted
by the applicant that the location and operation of the kennel are
in compliance with the Dedham Zoning By-laws.
(4) No new Commercial Kennel License will be issued unless the Dedham
Animal Control Officer, Dedham Health Department, Dedham Building
Department, and Town Clerk review and approve the application. All
commercial kennel facilities shall be inspected by the Dedham Animal
Control Officer before a license can be issued or renewed.
(5) Each kennel license may be issued by the Town Clerk from January
1 until December 31 of the calendar year.
(6) First time applicants shall notify all direct property abutters in
writing, by certified mail or constable, of the applicant's intent
to operate a commercial kennel, and evidence of notification shall
be submitted with the application.
(7) The annual fee for a Commercial Kennel License will be set in accordance
with the Dedham Code after review.
(8) Commercial kennel licensees shall be issued a maximum of 35 dog tags,
and any dog on the property other than the 35 covered under the kennel
license shall wear a Town dog license tag from the town where the
dog is licensed and shall be available for inspection upon request.
(9) All commercial kennels shall be maintained in good repair and in
a sanitary condition in such as manner as to protect the dogs from
injury or disease, to contain the dogs, and to restrict the entrance
of other animals; and location, construction, arrangement and operation
of commercial kennels shall not constitute a nuisance.
[Added 11-15-2021 ATM
by Art. 17]
The Animal Control Officer, following consultation with the
Police Chief and Health Director, may adopt and, from time to time,
revise regulations setting forth minimum standards for maintenance
and operation of commercial kennel facilities so as to ensure the
health, safety and welfare of the animals kept therein and to prevent
said facilities from constituting a public nuisance. Said regulations
may be adopted after a public hearing, notice of which shall be posted
on the municipal website at least 10 days prior to the hearing, and
which shall be made available to the public in any other manner that
the Animal Control Officer or Town Manager deems appropriate.
[Added 11-15-2021 ATM
by Art. 17]
A. The Animal Control Officer, Board of Health, Police Chief, or their designees, may enforce the provisions of this by-law and any regulations promulgated hereunder by any means available in law or in equity, consistent with §
1-6 of these By-laws; and shall recommend to the Town Manager such further action as may be appropriate.
B. For such purposes, any of the enforcing authorities listed herein
may, at any time, and in a manner consistent with law, inspect a kennel
or cause the inspection of a kennel. Said inspection may include examination
of any pertinent records pertaining to this by-law or regulations
promulgated hereunder. Refusal to comply with an inspection may be
grounds for an emergency suspension or revocation. At the time of
the inspection, or promptly thereafter, the inspecting authority shall
document any violations found.
C. If a violation is documented, such fact shall constitute cause for
suspension, rescission or revocation of the license.