[Adopted 6-1-2015 by L.L.
No. 1-2015]
It is the policy of the Town of Kingston to secure and maintain
a level of animal control that protects human health and safety, prevents
animals from hindering Town employees and members of the public on
Town property, prevents property damage, and, to the greatest degree
practicable, prevents cruelty to animals. It is the purpose of these
rules to fulfill the objectives of the above policy.
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
Any living creature except human beings. This definition
includes, among other things, pets.
A threat to human and/or animal life or Town property that
is immediate or reasonably foreseeable under the circumstances.
Animal feces, urine, vomit, blood, etc.
Any person having an interest in or right of possession to
an animal, or any person having control, custody, or possession of
an animal.
An animal, including guide dogs, individually trained to
do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability,
as defined by applicable state and/or federal laws, which includes
but is not limited to guiding individuals who are blind or have low
vision, alerting individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing, providing
minimal protection, pulling a wheelchair, or fetching dropped items.
An animal that is being trained for the purpose of assisting
or accommodating an individual with a disability as defined by applicable
state and/or federal laws.
Property that the Town owns as well as structures that the
Town operates, leases, rents, or otherwise controls.
An animal that is trained for specific tasks and under the
control of police, security, or emergency personnel or other Town
employees or agents. Examples of working animals include, but are
not limited to, patrol, rescue, or sentry dogs and therapy animals.
No person may bring dogs or other animals onto Town property
for other than official purposes.
A.
All animals brought onto Town property shall be subject to license
and leash laws of the Town of Kingston.
B.
Except as provided in Subsection B(1) through (3), no animals shall be allowed on any Town property or in any buildings or structures the Town of Kingston owns, operates, leases, rents, or controls:
(1)
Service animals and service animals in training may be permitted
consistent with Town policies and/or state and federal laws.
(2)
Working animals under the control of police, security, or emergency
personnel or a trained Town employee may be permitted for specific
functions consistent with the animal's training.
(3)
Animals included as part of special events may be permitted subject
to guidelines established for specific Town facilities.
C.
No animal which emits frequent or long-continued noise so as to disturb
or disrupt normal administrative or Town routine shall be permitted
on Town property. Moreover, any animal that places human and/or animal
life or Town property in imminent danger shall be removed immediately
from that property.
D.
Fecal matter or other organic debris deposited by animals must be
removed immediately and properly disposed of by the animal's
owner.
A.
It shall be the duty of the Animal Control Officer of the Town of
Kingston to enforce this article with respect to animals on the Town
of Kingston Town property.
B.
The Animal Control Officer of the Town of Kingston shall seize any
animal which is found to be in violation of any portion of this article.
All complaints concerning alleged violations of this article shall
be communicated to the Town Justice to proceed with civil or criminal
enforcement of this article or any other provisions of law pertaining
hereto.
Any violation of this article constitutes an offense. The following
fines and penalties are hereby imposed, in addition to the punishments
imposed by any general statutes, on every person who violates or who
owns or is responsible for any animal which violates any of the foregoing
requirements or provisions of this article, to wit: for a first offense,
a fine of not less than $50 and not exceeding $250, and for any second
or subsequent violations, a fine of at least $100 and not more than
$500.
