The purpose of this article is to regulate the
keeping of dogs and prohibit the roaming at large of dogs and other
animals in the streets and public places of the Town and to prevent
cruelty to dogs and other animals, pursuant to C.G.S. Section 7-148(c)(7)(D)(i)
and (ii), and to prescribe penalties and enforcement procedures for
violation of local and state regulations pertaining to dogs and other
animals as set forth in C.G.S. Article 435, as amended, C.G.S. Secs.
7-152c and 7-148(c) (10) and this article.
It shall be a violation of this article for
any owner or keeper of a dog:
A. To allow such dog to roam at large upon the land of
another and not under control of the owner or keeper or the agent
of the owner or keeper, or to allow such dog to roam at large on any
portion of any public highway and not attended by and under control
of such owner or keeper or his agent; the unauthorized presence of
any dog on the land of any person other than the owner or keeper of
such dog or on any portion of a public highway, when such dog is not
attended by and under the control of such owner or keeper, shall be
prima facie evidence of a violation of the provisions of this article.
B. To obstruct or attempt to obstruct the canine control
officer or warden engaged in the discharge of such person's duties.
C. To perpetrate any act of cruelty upon any dog or other
animal.
D. Not to have a tag or plate on a collar around the
neck or on a harness on the body of such dog.
E. Not to have complied with any order or regulation
relating to rabies applicable to such dog.
F. To abandon or neglect or cruelly treat any such dog.
G. Not to have such dog licensed in the Town Clerk's
office as required by state law.
H. To allow such dog to inflict damage or harm to human
beings, domestic animals or property.
I. To allow such dog to go on a highway and growl, snap,
bite or otherwise annoy any person or domestic animal lawfully using
such highway or chase or interfere with any motor vehicle so using
such highway.
J. To permit such dog to become a nuisance by reason
of vicious disposition or excessive barking or any other disturbance
or by permitting such barking or other disturbance when such is a
source of annoyance to any sick person residing in the immediate vicinity.
K. To crop or cut or cause to be cropped or cut off the
whole or any part of the ear of a dog unless such person is a registered
veterinarian surgeon.
L. Not to clean up or dispose of immediately any feces
or other waste matter discharged by a dog on public property, including
highways and sidewalks, or on any private property not owned or controlled
by the owner, agent or keeper of the dog.
Any person violating any of the above provisions
shall be fined not less than $25 nor more than $100. The Town canine
control officer or warden shall issue citations for violations of
any provisions set forth above. All moneys received shall be remitted
to the Office of the Tax Collector.
The Town of Farmington, under its powers pursuant to state law,
has adopted this article to protect public health, safety, and welfare
by prohibiting the intentional feeding of wildlife. This article is
intended to assist our residents, guests, and other stakeholders to
coexist with wildlife peacefully and safely.
When used in this article, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
AUTHORIZED ENFORCEMENT AGENCY
All sworn personnel of the Police Department and animal control
officers. Additionally, any employees or designees of the Town as
designated by the Town Manager to enforce this article.
PERSON
Person shall be construed to mean and include an individual,
a corporation, a partnership, a nonprofit, a trust, an unincorporated
organization, business organization of any kind or any other group
or organization.
TOWN
Town means the Town of Farmington.
WILDLIFE
Wildlife includes, but is not limited to, nondomesticated
animals that due to intentional feeding have been determined to be
a nuisance or threat to public health, safety, and welfare such as
bears, deer, coyotes, bobcats, fishers, turkeys, and wild birds. Wildlife
does not include livestock used for agricultural purposes.
In recognition that these animals are wild and should be left
alone for the health, safety, and welfare of both the wildlife and
our residents, guests, and other stakeholders, the following is prohibited
activity:
A. Intentional feeding of wildlife. Feeding, giving, placing, exposing,
depositing, distributing, or scattering any edible material, attractant,
or other substance with the intention of feeding, attracting, or enticing
wildlife.
B. Feeding birds. Bird feeders may not be used from April 1st through November 30th, unless the source is recognized as not being desirable to bears,
such as but not limited to Nyjer or thistle.
C. Improperly storing food, refuse, or other wildlife attractants. Improperly
storing food, pet food, refuse (garbage), or other attractants and
substances in a manner that result in wildlife feedings.
Whenever the authorized enforcement agency determines that a
person has violated any of the above provisions, the authorized enforcement
agency is authorized to issue a fine in the amount of one hundred
dollars ($100.00) for each offense. Any violation continued more than
one (1) day shall constitute a separate offense for each day such
violation continues. All monies received shall be remitted to the
office of the Tax Collector.
The hearing procedure for any citations issued for violations of the above article shall be the procedures set forth in Chapter
91 of the Code of the Town of Farmington.