[Amended 4-5-2014 ATM by Art. 35]
A. 
It shall be unlawful for any person to keep, maintain or have in his or her possession or under his or her control within the Town any dangerous animal or reptile or carnivorous, wild animal or other animal or reptile of wild, vicious or dangerous propensities without obtaining an annual permit therefor from the Select Board.
B. 
Under no circumstance will a permit be issued for the possession of any animal as described in Subsection A if the animal is part of a traveling exhibition or show living in a mobile housing facility. An animal is deemed to be part of a traveling exhibition or show if, during the 15-day period preceding any proposed use in a traveling exhibition or show, such animal was traveling in a mobile housing facility.
[Amended 10-18-2025 ATM by Art. 10]
For purposes of this article, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
DANGEROUS ANIMAL
Includes any wild mammal, reptile or fowl of a species which is not naturally tame or gentle but is of a wild nature or disposition and which, because of its size, breeding, vicious nature or other characteristics, would constitute a danger or threat to human life or property if it is not kept or maintained in a safe manner or in secure quarters. The term "dangerous animal" includes any domestic mammal, reptile or fowl which, because of its size, breeding or vicious propensity or other characteristics, would constitute a danger to human life or property if it is not kept or maintained in a safe manner or in secure quarters.
[Amended 4-9-2012 ATM by Art. 20]
Dangerous or wild animals include the following: all poisonous animals, apes, baboons, bears, bison, cheetahs, crocodilians 24 inches or more, constrictor snakes 36 inches in length or more, coyotes, deer, elephants, game cocks and other fighting birds, hippopotami, hyenas, jaguars, leopards, lions, lynxes, monkeys, ostriches, piranha, pumas, rhinoceroses, sharks, tigers, wolves and any dog found to be vicious under § 120-6 of the Town Bylaws; provided, however, that the foregoing list is not deemed to be all-inclusive.
[Amended 4-5-2014 ATM by Art. 35]
The provisions of §§ 120-15, 120-16 and 120-17 shall not apply to any duly licensed zoo, or bona fide educational or medical institution, including a veterinarian, or any other duly licensed place where such animals are kept for the purpose of instruction, treatment or study; provided, however, that:
A. 
The location and operation of the foregoing are in conformity with all applicable federal, state and local laws, bylaws, rules and regulations;
B. 
All animals and animal quarters are kept in a clean and sanitary condition; and
C. 
All animals are maintained in quarters so constructed and controlled as to prevent their escape.
The Select Board may issue an annual permit for the keeping or maintenance of a dangerous animal upon the following conditions:
A. 
The animal is kept or maintained at all times in a safe manner and securely confined so that the keeping of such animal shall not constitute a danger to human life or the property of others.
B. 
Adequate safeguards are taken to prevent unauthorized access to such animal by other persons.
C. 
The health or well-being of the animal is not endangered in any way by the manner of keeping or confinement.
D. 
The keeping of such animal does not constitute a public nuisance and will not adversely affect the surrounding neighborhood.
E. 
The keeping of such animal will not cause a danger to the public health.
F. 
The quarters in which such animal is kept or confined are adequately heated, lighted and ventilated and are constructed and maintained in a safe, clean and sanitary condition.
G. 
The owner or keeper of such animal shall prove his or her financial responsibility by filing with the Select Board an adequate certificate of insurance or by posting an adequate surety bond with the Select Board conditioned upon the owner's or keeper's payment of all damages which may result from the keeping or maintenance of such animal. Adequacy of proof shall be at the sole discretion of the Select Board.
The Select Board is authorized to investigate any person who applies for a permit under this article and to consult with appropriate individuals, agencies and societies concerning the keeping of dangerous animals.
Prior to the issuance or renewal of any annual permit for the keeping of dangerous animals, and at any other time deemed appropriate, the Select Board shall cause the premises subject to the permit to be inspected for compliance with all conditions imposed hereunder. In the event that said premises are found not to be in compliance or are not made available for inspection, the Board shall refuse to issue or reissue or shall revoke, as the case may be, the permit. The Select Board is authorized to charge a fee for the issuance of all such annual permits and a fee for all such inspections.
[Added 4-13-2004 ATM by Art. 44; amended 10-18-2025 ATM by Art. 10]
Any person, corporation or otherwise violating any provision of this article shall be fined not less than $100 and not more than $300 for each offense, with each day during which a violation occurs or continues deemed to be a separate offense. This article may be enforced by noncriminal disposition pursuant to MGL c. 40, § 21D, and §§ 1-4 and 1-5 of the Town Code.