[Formerly designated Art. XV, § 11]
A. 
The registering, numbering, describing and licensing of dogs, if kept in the Town of Norwell, shall be conducted in the office of the Town Clerk of said Town. All dogs within the Town of Norwell shall at all times display on a collar or harness the Town/City license tag in which the dog is licensed and a current rabies vaccination tag.
[Amended 5-7-2018 ATM, Art. 31]
B. 
Notwithstanding the provisions of MGL c. 140, § 139, or any other provision of law to the contrary, the annual fees to be charged by the Town of Norwell for the issuance of licenses for dogs shall be established by the Select Board of said Town.
[Amended 5-8-2021 ATM by Art. 11]
C. 
Notwithstanding the provisions of MGL c. 140, § 137A, or any other provisions of the law to the contrary, the owner or keeper of more than four dogs, six months of age or over, may make written application to the Town Clerk for a kennel license.
[Amended 5-6-2019 ATM, Art. 28]
D. 
The license period for the licensing of dogs and kennels in the Town of Norwell shall be the time between January 1 and the following December 31, both dates inclusive, provided, the Town Clerk may provide up to a three-year license when proof of a three-year rabies vaccine is submitted.
[Amended 5-8-2017 ATM, Art. 29]
[Amended 5-6-2019 ATM, Art. 28]
All money received for licenses or from the sale of dog licenses by the Town of Norwell or recovered as fines or penalties by said Town under the provisions of MGL c. 140 or this bylaw, relating to dogs, shall be paid into the Town treasury of said Town and shall not thereafter be paid over by the Town Treasurer-Collector to Plymouth County.
Whoever suffers loss by the worrying, maiming or killing of his livestock or fowl by dogs, outside the premises of the owners or keepers of such dogs, shall after investigation as described in MGL c. 140, § 161, be paid from the treasury of said Town, as provided by said § 161.
[Amended 5-8-2021 ATM by Art. 11]
In the event any person suffers a dog bite, the Animal Control Officer shall be notified, and the dog quarantined, and if necessary, permanently restrained. All restraining orders will be issued through the Select Board's office.
A. 
Loose livestock and/or horses will only be restrained at the owner's expense. Unless life threatening, the Animal Control Officer will not be called out.
[Amended 5-6-2019 ATM, Art. 28]
B. 
Wildlife (bats, snakes, raccoons, etc.), unless sick or life threatening, is not the responsibility of the Animal Control Officer. If the officer wishes to respond, then it is a private matter between the officer and the homeowner.
C. 
Emergencies are for injured dogs or cats. Calls received before 8:00 a.m. and after 4:00 p.m. shall be on an emergency basis only. Dead animals, barking dogs, lost animals, etc., are not to be considered emergencies. Dead animals will be removed during the tour of duty. When the animal's owner is known, the Animal Control Officer will advise that it is the owner's responsibility to dispose of the animal. If the owner requests, the officer may, at his/her option, dispose of the animal at an established fee.
[Amended 5-6-2019 ATM, Art. 28]
A. 
No person shall own or keep a dog which by barking, biting, howling, being unlicensed, unvaccinated or uncollared, causing littering, property damage, or harassment, or displaying vicious behavior, or in any other manner disturbs the peace and quiet in any neighborhood or endangers the safety or damages the property of any person or otherwise violates the intent of the bylaw.
[Amended 5-7-2018 ATM, Art. 31; amended 5-6-2019 ATM, Art. 28]
B. 
The owner, keeper or parent or guardian of a minor owner or keeper of a dog or other animal shall not abuse said animal or allow said dog or animal to trespass on private or public property except under the supervision and control of the owner or keeper and with permission of such property owners.
C. 
In addition, any violation shall permit the Animal Control Officer to order the dog/animal restrained and enable the Animal Control Officer to impound the dog/animal. Return to the owner or keeper shall not be made until after the payment of a sum to the Town established by the Select Board. Disposition of dogs impounded and unclaimed shall be in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth.
[Amended 5-7-2018 ATM, Art. 31; 5-8-2021 ATM by Art. 11]
[Amended 5-13-2002 ATM, Art. 21; 7-25-2020 ATM, Art. 37; 5-8-2021 ATM by Art. 11]
In addition to any of the penalties and/or remedies set forth in this bylaw, pursuant to MGL c. 140, § 173A, the penalties for violations of the aforementioned Animal Control Bylaw and any rules or regulations promulgated thereunder shall be $50 for the first offense, $100 for the second offense, $300 for the third offense, and $500 for the fourth and subsequent offenses. Each day of any violation shall be considered a separate offense. The Select Board, acting through its Animal Control Officer, shall have the authority to dispose of said violations in accordance with the procedures and provisions of MGL c. 140, § 173A.
[Amended 5-10-2004 ATM, Art. 38; 5-7-2018 ATM, Art. 31]
A. 
No person shall allow a dog onto any Town property posted "No Dogs Allowed." Service dogs under close control of their owners wearing a valid dog license and certified as a service dog shall be excluded from this provision. Any person in violation of this section shall be punishable by a fine of not more than $50 for each offense. The Select Board shall have the authority to dispose of said violations in accordance with MGL c. 40, § 21D.
[Amended 5-8-2021 ATM by Art. 11]
B. 
All dogs being walked on the pathways under the jurisdiction of the Town shall be on a leash.