The purpose of this article shall be to protect the health,
safety, morals and general welfare of the inhabitants, visitors, and
property of the Town of Verona, from dog-related nuisance, damage,
or injury, through the specifications, establishment, and imposition
of certain restrictions, regulations, responsibilities, and requirements:
A. The licensing and identification of dogs;
B. The control and protection of the dog population;
C. The control and protection of person, property, domestic animals
and deer from dog attack and damage; and
D. Penalties for violations of this article.
This article shall be known as the "Dog Licensing and Control Law of the Town of Verona." This article repeals the so-called "Animals Local Law," codified as Chapter 69 of the Verona Town Code. This article therefore shall replace said Animals Local Law and shall be codified as Chapter
166 of the Town Code.
This law is enacted pursuant to New York State Agriculture and
Markets Law, Article 7, and the Laws of New York of 2010, Chapter
59, Part T.
All dogs harbored within the Town of Verona, which are over
the age of four months, and which are not residing at a pound or shelter
maintained under contract with the Town, or at a duly licensed and
incorporated humane shelter, dog protective association or SPCA, or
otherwise exempted, must be licensed by the Town of Verona on an annual
basis, licensing fees and surcharges to be set forth herein and amended
as the Town Board sees fit, and a record of such licensure shall be
maintained with the Town Clerk.
A. Rabies vaccination required. All dogs in the Town of Verona, which
are over the age of four months, must maintain current rabies vaccinations.
A current certificate of rabies vaccination must be presented at the
time of initial licensing and for license renewals. Under no circumstances
will a dog be granted a license without a current rabies vaccination
certificate.
B. Duration. Dog license shall remain valid for a period of one year,
expiring upon the last day of the month of the license period.
C. Tag numbers. Tag numbers shall initially consist of eight digits,
beginning with the Oneida County/Verona Town Code (3022) and commencing
with the number 1001.
D. Tag contents. Each tag shall identify the tag number, Town of: Verona
NY: and a contact phone number for the Town licensing authority.
E. Service, guide, hearing and detection dogs shall be licensed, but
shall be exempt from any licensing fee upon proof by the owner of
the dog's status as such.
F. The Town does not allow licensing of dogs by a shelter. The shelter
must send the adoptive dog owners to the Town Clerk of the Town in
which the dog will be harbored for licensing.
G. Late fees. If a license is not timely renewed, a late fee shall be
assessed for each month following the month in which the license expired
and must be paid along with the requisite licensing fees. Refer to
Fee Schedule for monthly charge.
H. Applications. Original dog licenses must be purchased in person at
the Verona Town Clerk's office, upon submission of a completed
application, certificate of current rabies vaccination and veterinary
certificate of spay or neuter, if applicable. The Town Clerk will
mail renewal applications to all dog owners one month prior to the
expiration of the license. The renewal may be hand delivered or mailed
to the Town Clerk for processing, enclosing all appropriate fees.
Dog owners are responsible for renewal of dog licenses and failure
to receive a renewal application from the Town will not exempt an
owner from this responsibility.
The Town Board shall appoint and maintain a Dog Control Officer
for the Town of Verona to enforce this article. Such Dog Control Officer,
observing a violation of this law in his or her presence shall issue
and serve an appearance ticket for such violation. A record of each
incident shall be kept for a minimum of three years from creation
of such violation.
Every dog seized by the Dog Control Officer shall be transported
to a contracted shelter if not redeemed by its owner within five days,
not including the day of pickup. The shelter must maintain, redeem,
sell, adopt, and/or euthanize all dogs.
This article shall be enforced by the Dog Control Officer appointed
by the Town Board, any peace or police officer, in the employ or acting
under the contract with the Town of Verona. Such enforcing party may
investigate and make applicable reports concerning any instance regarding
the conduct of dogs and shall have authority to issue appearance tickets
and see that resulting orders of the Town Justices of the Town of
Verona are carried out.
Any person who observes a dog in violation of any provision
of this law may file a signed complaint or information with the Dog
Control Officer. The complaint shall specify the objectionable conduct
of the dog(s), the date and location thereof, the substance of the
objectionable conduct and damage or injury resulting thereof, the
name (if known) and a description of the dog and the name and address
of the dog's owner(s) or harborer. In the case of a suspected
dangerous dog, the requirements and provisions of Agriculture and
Markets Law, § 123 shall control.
Any Dog Control Office employed by the Town of Verona shall
issue to the owner of any dog observed in violation of this law, or
reasonably believed to be in violation of this law, an appearance
ticket for such violation.
The Dog Control Officer employed by the Town of Verona may seize any dog which he or she observes in violation of any provision of §
166-6, pursuant to Agriculture & Markets Law, Article 7, § 117. Any dog seized shall be fed, watered, and properly cared for. Pursuant to Article 7(10), the seizure of any dog shall not relieve any person from penalty for any violation of this law. No liability in damages or otherwise shall be incurred on account of the seizure, euthanasia or adoption of any dog pursuant to the provisions of this law.
This article shall take effect January 1, 2011, subject to this
law being filed with the Secretary of State.