Town of Lockport, NY Article I Licensing, Identification and Control of Dogs

[Adopted 9-8-2004 by L.L. No. 7-2004][1]

[1] Editor's Note: This local law also repealed former Art. I, Running at Large, adopted 3-24-1975, as amended.

§ 80-1 Purpose.

The purpose of this article is to assure and preserve the public peace and good order in the Town of Lockport by declaring and enforcing certain regulations and restrictions on the actions of dogs and dog owners within the Town, pursuant to the authority conferred upon the Town by the Agriculture and Markets Law and its police power.

§ 80-2 Definitions.

The terms used herein shall have the same meaning as such terms have under the provisions of the Agriculture and Markets Law of the State of New York, and, in addition, shall have the following definitions for purpose of this article:

OWNER

In addition to its ordinary meaning, shall mean any person designated as an owner on any dog license application filed with any Town Clerk.

RUNNING AT LARGE

The presence of a dog:

A. Off of the premises either owned or occupied by the owner; or

B. In the right-of-way of any public highway or street.

§ 80-3 Running at large prohibited.

No person owning, harboring or having care, custody or charge of any dog shall allow or permit such dog to run at large in the Town of Lockport unless effectively restricted or controlled by a person by means of a leash not exceeding 15 feet in length.

§ 80-4 Licensing and identification.

[Amended 12-8-2010 by L.L. No. 8-2010]

Any person owning, harboring or having care, custody or charge of any dog shall, at all times, be in full compliance with the obligations established pursuant to Agriculture and Markets Law §§ 109, relating to licensing, and 111, relating to identification of dogs.

§ 80-5 Seizure and impounding of dogs.

Any dog running at large in the Town of Lockport in violation of this article may be seized and impounded by any police officer or dog control officer in accordance with the provisions of the Agriculture and Markets Law.

§ 80-6 Exceptions.

A dog accompanied by a person actually present, who is engaged in field training or hunting, or exercising a dog, provided that the person has visual and/or voice control over the dog, shall not be deemed "running at large" in violation of this article, except that if such dog shall challenge, attack, intimidate or worry any person, other dog or domestic animal, it shall be deemed "running at large" in violation of this article.

§ 80-6.1 Penalties for offenses.

[Amended 12-8-2010 by L.L. No. 8-2010; 8-3-2011 by L.L. No. 4-2011]

Any person convicted of a violation of any provision of this chapter shall be guilty of an offense and shall be punished by a fine of not more than $250, or by imprisonment for a period not in excess of 15 days, or by both such fine and imprisonment.

§ 80-6.2 Authority to issue appearance tickets; prosecution according to state law.

Any dog control officer or police officer may issue an appearance ticket or a uniform appearance ticket for any violation of this article, and violations of this article may be prosecuted in any manner allowed by the Agriculture and Markets Law or the Penal Law of the State of New York.