[Amended 5-21-2013]
A.
When off the premises of the canine's owner or handler, any canine within the City of Sanford/Springvale must be controlled by a leash, cord, chain, or otherwise of not more than eight feet in length.
[Adopted 4-11-1977 as Ch. 12, Art. II of the 1977 Code]
[Amended 5-21-2013; 1-5-2021 by Order No. 20-162-01; 6-4-2024 by Order No. 24-236-01; 5-20-2025 by Order No. 25-152-01]
A.
If a canine is legally impounded by the Animal Control Officer in compliance with Maine Revised Statutes Annotated, Title 7, Parts 8[1] and 9, and the canine's owner is unknown or unavailable to take immediate possession of the canine, the canine shall be placed in a shelter designated by the City. The Animal Control Officer will make a reasonable attempt to determine the ownership of the impounded canine and make notification, if possible, within three days of the impoundment. Failure to give such notice shall in no way impose any liability upon the City.
[1]
Editor's Note: Maine Revised Statutes Annotated, Title 7, Part 8, was repealed by L. 1987, c. 383, § 2.
B.
Maine State Law requires that the canine be confined at the shelter for a period of not less than six days. Any canine not reclaimed by the owner within six days shall be considered abandoned by the owner and become the property of the designated shelter, which may at its discretion humanely euthanize the canine or place the canine for adoption to any person deemed to be a responsible and suitable owner.
C.
The owner of an impounded canine must pay an impoundment fee to the Police Department prior to reclaiming the canine from the City designated shelter. The shelter will not release the canine without proof that this fee has been paid. The fee shall be $35 per dog for a first offense; $60 per dog for a second offense within one year; and $90 per dog for a third and subsequent offense within one year.
Instead of seizing and impounding the dog, the City of Sanford may prosecute the owner of any dog running at large, and any person under conviction thereof shall be fined not less than $5 nor more than $10 plus the cost of prosecution.
No person shall interfere with, hinder or molest any Dog Control Officer in the performance of any duty of such officer or seek to release any dog in the custody of a Dog Control Officer, except as herein provided.
It shall be the duty of a Dog Control Officer to keep, or cause to be kept, an accurate and detailed record of the licensing, impoundment and disposition of all dogs coming into his custody.
On complaint being made to the Dog Constable or Dog Constables that any dog within the compact portion of the City, as defined by 7 M.R.S.A. §§ 3401 to 3405,[1] has unreasonably disturbed the peace and quiet of any persons whomsoever, by biting, chasing or continued barking or howling or in any other manner, or has unreasonably destroyed the property of any persons, the Dog Constable shall issue notice to the owner of said dog ordering that said dog be kept under proper control and not permitted to run at large upon any street or upon the property of other than the owner or that such dog shall be forthwith removed beyond the compact section of the City or that such dog be destroyed.
[1]
Editor's Note: Section 3401 of Title 7 was repealed by L. 1975, c. 140; Sections 3402, 3404 and 3405 of Title 7 were repealed by L. 1987, c. 383; and Section 3203 of Title 7 was repealed by L. 1977, c. 696.