[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town of Casco as indicated in article
histories. Amendments noted where applicable.]
[Adopted by Town Meeting 1-14-2012 by Art. 3; amended 6-10-2015 by Art. 26]
The purpose of this article is to control dogs throughout the
Town of Casco in the interest of health, safety and general welfare
of its residents.
As used in this article, unless the context otherwise indicates,
the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
- AT LARGE
- Off the premises of the owner and not being under the control of any person by means of personal presence and attention or ability to manipulate and command the conduct of the dog.
- DANGEROUS DOG
- Shall have the same meaning as 7 M.R.S.A. § 3907, Subsection 12-D.
- DOG
- Both male and female whether neutered or not.
- OWNER
- Any person, firm, association or corporation owning, keeping or harboring a dog.
All dogs kept, harbored or maintained by their respective owners
in the Town of Casco shall be licensed and tagged in accordance with
the requirements of 7 M.R.S.A. § 3921.
[Amended 6-14-2017 by
Art. 27]
It shall be a violation of this article for an owner or keeper
of a dog to cause or permit such dog to unnecessarily annoy or disturb
any person by continued or repeated barking, howling, or other loud
or unusual noises any time during the day or night. This section shall
not apply to state-licensed kennels operating in the Town of Casco
as the date of this amendment. It shall be violation of this article
for an owner to cause or permit a dog to be a dangerous dog. This
section shall not apply to dogs engaged in herding livestock or to
agricultural guard dogs engaged in protecting livestock or warning
the owners of danger to the livestock. For purposes of this section
"livestock" shall have the same meaning as in 7 M.R.S.A. § 3907,
Subsection 18-A. A first violation of this section shall result in
a warning to the owner or keeper of the dog. A second violation shall
be subject to a penalty of no less than $100 nor more than $250 and
any subsequent violation shall be subject to a penalty of no less
than $250 nor more than $500. In the event that the Town is the prevailing
party in an action under this article, it shall be entitled to an
award of its reasonable attorney's fees, expert witness fees, or any
other associated costs.
Dogs at large, except when used for hunting, shall be subject
to the provisions of 7 M.R.S.A. §§ 3911 to 3913 and
3915.
If any provision of this article is for any reason held invalid
by any court of competent jurisdiction, such portion shall be deemed
a separate provision and the remaining provisions of this article
shall remain in full force and effect.