Town of Chesapeake City, MD Article I Dogs Running At Large

[Adopted 11-8-1976 as Art. 17 of the 1976 Code; amended in its entirety 8-11-2014 by Ord. No. 07.14.2014]

§ 90-1 Dog running at large defined.

A dog running at large is defined as a dog that is not on a leash or otherwise under the restraint of a person capable of controlling the animal while the animal is off the premises of the animal's owner.

§ 90-2 Violations and penalties.

A. It shall be unlawful for anyone who owns or possesses a dog to allow the dog to run at large. Violations of this article shall be a municipal infraction and subject to the following fine schedule:

(1) First offense: written warning.

(2) Second offense: $500.

(3) Third and subsequent offenses: $600 for the third offense and in escalating $100 increments for each subsequent offense.

B. The Mayor and Council may modify and amend the fine schedule from time to time by resolution.

§ 90-3 Nuisance.

Any dog running at large shall be considered a public nuisance and shall be taken into the Town's custody.

§ 90-4 Animal Control Officer.

The Mayor and Council shall appoint an Animal Control Officer to be responsible for taking such animals into custody.

§ 90-5 Animal shelter designated.

The Mayor and Council shall designate an animal shelter where such animals will be held.

§ 90-6 Keeping of animals at animal shelters.

Any dog so taken by the Animal Control Officer to the animal shelter shall be kept and maintained in accordance with the established standards of the animal shelter.

§ 90-7 Claims; fees.

Any owner of any dog so taken may claim the dog from the animal shelter in accordance with the requirements and any established fee of the animal shelter.