[Adopted 9-13-2004; amended in its entirety 5-18-2016]
This regulation is promulgated under the authority granted to
the Board of Health under MGL c. 111, § 31.
The intent of this regulation is to protect the public health
and welfare by preventing the transmission of infectious zoonotic
diseases by animals, including dogs and other pets to humans.
A.
All persons who own, possess, or control a dog or other pet must
remove and dispose of any animal waste left by their dog or other
pet on any sidewalk, gutter, street, or other public area in the Town
of Sharon or on any private property neither owned nor occupied by
said person.
B.
Persons walking dogs must keep the animals under leash or voice control
as appropriate, and must carry with them a device to remove and dispose
of dog feces (e.g., plastic bags, scoops, etc.).
C.
No dogs, horses or other pets are allowed on Sharon beaches at any
time from April 15 to October 15, of each year. No dogs, or other
pets, are allowed to swim in beach water at any time during the year.
Dogs or other pets will be allowed on the designated pathway on Memorial
Beach from October 15 to April 15, and must be kept on a leash at
all times. Pets may board boats at the boating docks at Memorial Beach
only.
D.
Service animals providing a specific service with respect to an illness, condition or disability may be allowed on Sharon beaches consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and MGL c. 272, § 98A. All service animals shall use the designated pet relief area at the beach, if one is provided. Service dog waste must be removed from all beach areas and disposed of properly as described in Subsections A and B.
E.
Permanent signage stating the prohibition of dogs and other pets
on Town beaches will be placed at the entrances and other sites on
the beaches.
B.
Enforcement of this regulation may be carried out by any designated
agent of the Board of Health, including the Animal Control Officer,
any police officer, the Sharon Conservation Commission, members of
the Lake Management Committee, or other Board of Health agent.
C.
If any provision, clause, sentence or paragraph of this article or
the application thereof to any person or circumstances shall be held
invalid, such invalidity shall not affect the other provisions of
this article which can be given effect without the invalid provisions
or application, and to this end the provisions of this article are
declared to be severable.