[Amended 10-17-2020 STM by Art. 17]
A. Any person
owning or harboring a dog shall not cause or allow said dog to roam
at large in any of the streets or public ways or places within the
confines of the Town of Littleton or upon the premises of anyone other
than the owner or keeper unless the owner or occupant of such premises
expressly grants permission. Under no circumstances shall a dog, even
though secured by suitable lead, be allowed on private property unless
specific permission has been granted by the owner of said property.
B. No dog shall
be permitted in any public place or on any public thoroughfare, inclusive
of all Town-owned property and properties under the authority of the
Commonwealth of Massachusetts that are situated in the Town of Littleton,
unless said dog is restrained by a chain or lead not exceeding seven
feet in length that is of suitable test for the size of dog that is
being restrained and is attended by a person of adequate age and discretion
to properly control its actions or is at the heel position close to
or slightly behind a competent person and demonstrably obedient to
the person’s command. When off-leash/at-heel, dogs must be leashed
when passing within 25 feet of other residents or dogs.
C. All persons
in care, custody and control of a dog(s) are required to be in possession
of leash/lead for each dog.
D. All persons
in care, custody and control of a dog(s) are required to use a poop
bag to pick-up dog waste. Poop bag(s) must be properly disposed of
in an off-site waste receptacle.
E. It is prohibited
to have any dog on Town property that is unlicensed or untagged in
violation of state law.
F. Each person
is permitted to have care, custody or control of no more than three
dogs at the same time on Town conservation land and trails.
G. The Town
of Littleton may specify certain properties whereby dogs shall be
leashed at all times. Such list of properties shall be maintained
and published by the Select Board and posted at each property or designated
area.
H. No dog shall
be permitted to disturb the peace or quiet of any neighborhood or
endanger the safety of any person, by biting, barking, howling, or
in any other manner; or to worry, kill, maim or otherwise injure another’s
fowl, livestock or domesticated animal.
I. No dog shall
be permitted to chase a vehicle, bicycles and pedestrians on any way
open to the public travel.
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
AT HEEL
A dog under complete control of a person of adequate age
and discretion to control its actions as adequately as a dog that
is on a lead.
AT LARGE
A dog which is unaccompanied by a person of adequate age
and discretion to properly control its actions and is unrestrained
by a lead or chain of less than seven feet that is of suitable test
for the size of the dog being restrained.