[Adopted 12-21-1982 by L.L. No. 3-1982]
A. 
The Town of Coeymans, Albany County, New York, finds that the running at large and other uncontrolled behavior of dogs has caused physical harm to persons, damage to property and created nuisances within the Town.
B. 
The purpose of this article is to protect the health, safety and well-being of persons and property by imposing restrictions and regulations upon the keeping or running at large of dogs and the seizure thereof within the Town of Coeymans.
[Amended 6-8-2023 by L.L. No. 5-2023]
[Amended 6-8-2023 by L.L. No. 5-2023]
It shall be unlawful for any owner of or any person harboring any dog in the Town of Coeymans as described in § 60-1 above to permit or allow such dog to:
A. 
Run at large unless said dog is restrained by a leash or unless accompanied by its owner or a responsible person able to control the animal.
B. 
Engage in habitual loud howling or barking or to conduct itself in such manner so as to habitually annoy any person other than the owner or person harboring such dog.
C. 
Cause damage or destruction to property, or commit a nuisance by defecating or urinating upon the premises of a person other than the owner or person harboring such a dog.
D. 
Chase or otherwise harass any person in such a manner as reasonably to cause intimidation or to put such person in reasonable apprehension of bodily harm or injury.
E. 
Habitually chase or bark at motor vehicles, motorcycles or bicycles.
[Amended 6-8-2023 by L.L. No. 5-2023]
It shall be unlawful for a person harboring a female dog in said Town of Coeymans as described in § 60-1 above to permit such dog to run at large when in heat, and such dog shall be confined to the premises of such person during such period.
[Amended 6-26-2000 by L.L. No. 2-2000]
An Animal Control Officer or police officer, or other person to be designated by the Town Board as provided by § 114 of the Agriculture and Markets Law, may enforce the provisions of this article and may also investigate and report to the Town Justice of the Town of Coeymans any dangerous dog as described in § 121 of the Agriculture and Markets Law, and see that the order or orders of the Town Justice in such case are carried out.
Any person who observes a dog causing damage or destruction to property of a person other than its owner, or committing a nuisance upon the premises of a person other than its owner or otherwise violating any of the provisions of this article may file a signed complaint, under oath, with the Town Justice of the Town of Coeymans specifying the objectionable conduct of the dog, the date thereof, the damage caused, a description of the dog and name and residence, if known, of the owner or other person harboring said dog.
Upon receipt by the Town Justice of any complaint against the conduct of any particular dog, the Town Justice may summon the alleged owner or other person harboring said dog to appear in person before him; if the summons is disregarded, the Town Justice may permit the filing of an information and issue a warrant for the arrest of such person.
If the dog seized bears a license tag, the dog shall be held by the Hannacroix Kennels or a successor kennel designated by the Town Board for a period of 12 days during which period he may be redeemed by the owner by paying to the Town Clerk the impoundment fees set forth in § 118 of Article 7 of the Agriculture and Markets Law. If the dog seized does not bear a license tag, the dog shall be held by the Hannacroix Kennels or its successor for a period of seven days during which period he may be redeemed by the owner by producing a license for said dog and the payment of the impoundment fees set forth in § 118 of Article 7 of the Agriculture and Markets Law and paying to the Town Clerk the sum of $5. If the dog is not redeemed during the period set forth herein, the owner shall forfeit all title to the dog and it shall be made available for adoption or euthanized pursuant to the provisions of § 118 of the Agriculture and Markets Law.
[Amended 6-26-2000 by L.L. No. 2-2000]
Any person who violates this article or knowingly permits the violation of this article or of any of the provisions thereof shall be deemed to have committed an offense against this article and any person convicted of any such violation after investigation and hearing shall be punishable by a fine of not more than $250 or imprisonment for a period not exceeding 15 days, or both, for each violation.