[Rev. Ords. 1989, § 3-1; Ord. of 3-7-1994]
The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this chapter,
shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where
the context clearly indicates a different meaning:
Any person employed by the town as its enforcement officer
and shall include any police officer of the town.
Any dog when off the property of the owner and not under
control of a competent person.
As used in this chapter shall mean any member of Felis catus
(excluding hybrids with wild felines).
As used in this chapter shall mean any member of Canis familiaris
(excluding hybrids with wild canines).
Any premises designated by action of the town for the purpose
of impounding and caring for all animals found running at large in
violation of this chapter.
Shall mean domestic dog (Canis familiaris), domestic cat
(Felis catus), domestic horse (Equus caballus), domestic cattle (Bos
taurus and Bos indicus) and domestic sheep (Ovis avies).
Any animal that has been bitten by or exposed to any animal
or creature known to have been infected with rabies.
As used in this chapter shall mean any member of the family
Mustela putorius, or Common European Ferret.
Any person engaged in the commercial business of breeding,
buying, selling or boarding dogs or any animal subject to this chapter.
A cord or chain attached to the collar or harness of any
animal subject to this chapter and held in the hand by the owner or
competent person leading the animal.
Shall mean any person, group of persons or corporation owning,
keeping or harboring any animal subject to this chapter.
Leashed or on or within a vehicle being driven or parked
on the streets or within the property limits of its owner or keeper.
Any raccoon, fox, skunk, bat, monkey, muskrat, deer, rat
or woodchuck as well as any hybrid between a domestic dog or cat and
its wild counterpart, e.g., dog and wolf.
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State law reference — Definitions, G.L. 1956, § 4-13-1.2.
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[Rev. Ords. 1989, § 3-2; Ord. of 3-17-1994]
(a)
It shall be unlawful to bring any wild animal within the confines
of the town.
(b)
Any wild animal kept by a person within the town limits on May 17,
1994, may be kept by such person only under such conditions as shall
be fixed by the animal control officer. Wild animals may be kept for
exhibition purposes by circuses, zoos and educational institutions
in accordance with such regulations as shall be established by the
animal control officer. Any wild animal which escapes and is found
at large may be destroyed by the animal control officer or any police
officer of the town.
[Rev. Ords. 1989, § 3-3]
Every female animal in heat shall be kept confined in a building
or secure enclosure or in a veterinary hospital or boarding kennel
in such a manner that the female animal cannot come in contact with
another animal except for intentional breeding purposes.
[Rev. Ords. 1989, § 3-4]
The keeping or harboring by any person of any animal, whether
licensed or not, which by habitual howling, yelping, barking or other
noise disturbs or annoys the peace of citizens in the immediate area
is unlawful and is hereby declared to be a public nuisance. Each day
shall constitute a separate offense.
[Rev. Ords. 1989, § 3-5; Ord. of 3-21-1997(1)]
It shall be unlawful for any owner of an animal to fail to restrain the animal from trespassing on private or public property and damaging or destroying any property or thing of value. This violation is hereby declared to be a nuisance and such animal may be impounded by the animal control officer and disposed of in accordance with § 3-10 and its owner shall be liable up to a maximum of $100 for each offense.
[Rev. Ords. 1989, § 3-6; Ord. of 3-21-1997(1)]
(a)
Whenever it shall be affirmed in writing by three or more persons
having separate residences or regularly employed in the neighborhood
that any animal is a habitual nuisance by reason of trespassing, howling,
barking or other noise or damage to property or by being vicious or
by its actions potentially vicious or in any other manner causing
undue annoyance, the animal control officer, if he finds such nuisance
to exist, shall serve written notice upon the owner or custodian that
such nuisance shall be abated within three days.
[Rev. Ords. 1989, § 3-7]
All complaints made under the provisions of this chapter shall
be made to the animal control officer and may be made orally, provided
that such complaint is made within 48 hours, reduced to writing on
forms provided by the animal control officer and signed by the complainant
showing his address and telephone number, if any.
[Rev. Ords. 1989, § 3-8]
Any animal other than a dog found running at large within the
town limits may be impounded or disposed of according to law when
such action is required either to protect the animal or to protect
the residents of the town.
[Rev. Ords. 1989, § 3-9]
Any animal impounded may be reclaimed by the owner unless otherwise
prohibited in this chapter upon the payment of the impoundment fees
set forth herein.
[Rev. Ords. 1989, § 3-10]
Any animal impounded under the provisions of this chapter and
not reclaimed by its owner within five days may be humanely destroyed
by the animal control officer, have its title transferred to the Society
for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals or be placed in the custody
of some person deemed to be a responsible and suitable owner who will
agree to comply with the provisions of this chapter and such regulations
as shall be fixed by the town. If the animal is one as to which the
respective rights of the owner and the person in possession or custody
are determined by state law, such law shall be complied with.
[Rev. Ords. 1989, § 3-11]
Any animal may be reclaimed the first time it is impounded for
being a public nuisance, but may not be reclaimed when so impounded
on a second or subsequent occasion unless reclamation is authorized
by a court having jurisdiction in the matter and suit is commenced
and notice given before five days have elapsed.
[Rev. Ords. 1989, § 3-12]
When in the judgment of the animal control officer or any police
officer in this town an animal should be destroyed for humane reasons,
such animal may not be reclaimed.
[Rev. Ords. 1989, § 3-13]
(a)
Impoundment and disposition. The animal control officer shall keep
or cause to be kept accurate and detailed records of the impoundment
and disposition of all animals coming into his custody.
(b)
Bite cases. The animal control officer shall keep or cause to be
kept accurate and detailed records of all bite cases reported to him
and his investigation of the same.
[Rev. Ords. 1989, § 3-14]
The provisions of this chapter shall be enforced by the animal
control officer or by any police officer of the town.
[Rev. Ords. 1989, § 3-15]
In the discharge of the duties imposed by this chapter, the
animal control officer or any police officer of the town shall have
the authority at all reasonable times to enter upon any premises,
but not the authority to enter a residence on the premises, to examine
the animal which is allegedly in violation of this chapter. Such officer
shall have the further authority to take possession of any such animal
and remove it from the premises.
[Rev. Ords. 1989, § 3-16]
No person shall interfere with, hinder or molest the animal
control officer or any police officer of the town in the performance
of duties or seek to release any animal in the custody of the animal
control officer or any police officer, except as herein provided.
[Rev. Ords. 1989, § 3-17]
Hospitals, clinics and other premises operated by licensed veterinarians
for the care and treatment of animals shall be exempt from the provisions
of this chapter except where expressly stated.
[Rev. Ords. 1989, § 3-18]
Except as otherwise provided herein, any person guilty of violating
any provision of this chapter may be punished by the payment of a
fine as provided in G.L. 1956, § 4-13-1, to be recovered
for the use of the town. If such violation be continued, each day's
violation may constitute a separate offense.
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State law reference — Penalties, G.L. 1956, § 4-13-1.
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