[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town Board of the Town of Algoma as indicated in article histories. Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Land development — See Ch. 225.
Public nuisances — See Ch. 243, Art. II.
Waste management — See Ch. 328.
[Adopted 10-21-2015 by Ord. No. 159]
The purpose of this article is for the Town of Algoma to contribute to the public welfare and good order of its citizens by enforcing regulations and restrictions on the activities of dogs, dog owners and custodians of dogs that are consistent with the rights and privileges of the owners of dogs and the rights and privileges of other citizens in the Town of Algoma. Also, this article provides for the licensing and identification of dogs and the protection of persons and property.
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
COLLAR
A band, strip or chain placed around the neck of a dog.
DOG
Any member of the species Canis familiaris, both male and female, licensed and unlicensed.
OWNER
Person who owns, harbors or keeps a dog.
PERSON
Any person, individual, corporation, partnership, association or other organized group of persons, municipality or other legal entity.
RUNNING AT LARGE
A dog off the property of its owner and not under restraint.
SERVICE DOG
Dog specially trained to lead blind or deaf persons or to provide support for mobility-impaired persons.
A. 
The owner of any dog more than five months of age shall obtain a dog license.
B. 
The license year commences on January 1 and ends on the following December 31. A license is required every year.
C. 
The owner must provide to the Town proof of current rabies vaccination. The certificate of rabies vaccination shall contain the owner's name and address, the name, sex, spayed or unspayed, neutered or unneutered, breed and color of the dog, the date of the vaccination, the type of rabies vaccination administered and the manufacturer's serial number, the date that the immunization expires as specified for that type of vaccine. At the time of immunization, a rabies tag shall be issued and said tag attached to a collar and kept on the dog at all times, except during competition, training, hunting, to a dog securely confined indoors, to a dog securely confined in a fenced area or to a dog actively involved in herding or controlling livestock if the dog is under the control of its owner.
D. 
The cost of the license may be found in the Town of Algoma Fee Schedule.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Said schedule is on file in the Town offices.
E. 
The collecting official shall assess and collect a late fee of $5 from every owner of a dog five months of age and over if the owner failed to obtain a license prior to April 1 of each year or within 30 days of acquiring ownership of a licensable dog or if the owner failed to obtain a license on or before the dog reached licensable age.
F. 
A dog that becomes five months of age after July 1 of the license year shall be charged 1/2 of the amount.
G. 
Service dogs are exempt from the license fee, and a free license shall be issued upon application.
A. 
No person shall permit any dog or animal to run at large within the Town of Algoma.
B. 
Each owner is required to confine the dog within the limits of his/her premises.
C. 
When dogs or animals are off of the owner's premises they shall be securely fastened to a suitable leash.
D. 
Any owner whose dog is found to be running at large may be subject to a fine. See § 1-2, Violations and penalties, of this Code.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. II).
A. 
The owner of the dog shall provide a structure which is suitable to prevent the entry of young children and to prevent the dog from escaping.
B. 
The structure shall have secure sides and a secure top attached to all sides.
C. 
The structure shall be constructed to prevent the dog from digging under the sides and escaping.
D. 
The structure shall be insulated in such a manner to keep the dog warm in the cold months.
E. 
The structure shall be inside a fence.
F. 
The gate to the structure shall be of an inward-opening type and shall be kept locked except when tending to the animal's needs.
G. 
The owner shall provide the dog with adequate food and water.
H. 
The owner shall maintain the structure, pen or enclosure in a clean, sanitary and odor-free condition.
I. 
Any owner found to be out of compliance with the above is subject to a fine. See § 1-2, Violations and penalties, of this Code.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. II).
A. 
No person shall be cruel or inhumane to any animal by beating, torturing, mutilating, cruelly killing or failing to provide adequate food, water, shelter or by abandonment.
B. 
Any person found to inhumanely treat any animal is subject to a fine. See § 1-2, Violations and penalties, of this Code.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. II).
A. 
Owners located in areas zoned R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4 and R-8 are limited to no more than three dogs per household, except that a litter may be kept for not exceeding 10 weeks from birth.
B. 
Owners located in areas zoned A-1 and A-2 with more than five acres are limited to no more than five dogs per household, except that a litter may be kept for not exceeding 10 weeks from birth.
C. 
Any owner found to be out of compliance with the above, is subject to a fine. See § 1-2, Violations and penalties, of this Code.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. II).