[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town of Cromwell as indicated in article histories. Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Health standards — See Ch. 146.
Sanitation — See Ch. 189.
[Adopted TC 3-16-2016[1]]
[1]
Editor’s Note: This ordinance also superseded former Art. I, Control of Animals, adopted BOS 5-10-2006, as amended.
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
ANIMAL
Any dog or livestock.
AT LARGE
Off the premises of the owner or keeper and not under the immediate control of the owner or keeper, either by leash, cord, chain or otherwise.
CAT
Any domesticated member of the feline species, whether male, female, neutered male, or spayed female.
DOG
Any member of the canine species, whether male, female, neutered male, or spayed female.
KEEP
Possessing, controlling, exercising or allowing to run at large.
LIVESTOCK
Any farm animal kept for any commercial or noncommercial purpose, including but not limited to, horses, cattle, goats, sheep, chickens and llamas.
OWNER
Any person possessing, keeping, harboring or having custody of a dog, cat or livestock.
VACCINATION
Any antirabies vaccination using a type of vaccination approved by the state.
VETERINARIAN
Any veterinarian licensed by the state.
VICIOUS ANIMAL
Any animal that attacks, bites or has a known propensity to attack human beings or other animals.
No owner of any animal shall allow such animal to roam at large within the Town, provided that nothing in this article shall be construed to limit or prohibit the use of hunting dogs during the open hunting or training season or any animal while performing or being exhibited in a bench show or exhibition or any guide dog for the blind or within the confines of the designated Town of Cromwell fenced-in dog park.
A. 
It shall be unlawful for any person owning, keeping, or walking or in control of any dog to permit such animal to defecate upon any private property not owned by the owner or keeper, or any public property, unless such person shall remove all feces so deposited by such animal before leaving the immediate area.
B. 
The provisions of this section shall not apply to any owner or keeper if such person is physically unable, by reason of age, infirmity or other disability, to remove said feces.
A. 
License tags required. Each dog kept by the owner in the Town shall be licensed and registered if the dog is six months of age or over, on or before June 30 annually or when the dog reaches six months of age. Dog licenses shall be issued by the Town Clerk upon payment of a license fee as established by the Connecticut General Statutes. The owner shall state at the time application is made for such license, and upon printed forms provided for such purpose, the name and address, and the name, breed, color and sex of each dog owned and kept by the owner. The owner shall submit to the Town Clerk a rabies certificate signed by a veterinarian, or copy thereof, evidencing that the dog is current for its rabies vaccination pursuant to § 82-5.
B. 
Exceptions. The provisions shall not apply to dogs whose owners are nonresidents, conditioned upon possession of a valid tag from any jurisdiction; nor to dogs brought into the Town for the purpose of participation in any dog show; nor to Seeing Eye dogs properly trained to assist a blind person when such dogs are actually being used by blind persons for the purpose of aiding them in going from place to place.
A. 
Any owner of a dog or cat three months of age or over shall have such dog or cat vaccinated against rabies. Any animal vaccinated prior to one year of age or receiving a primary rabies vaccine at any age shall be considered protected for only one year and shall be given a booster vaccine one year after initial vaccination and shall be vaccinated at least every three years thereafter. Those animals revaccinated after one year of age shall be given a booster vaccine at least every three years thereafter.
B. 
Proof of such vaccination shall be a certificate issued by a veterinarian and provided to the Animal Control Officer upon request.
No owner shall allow an animal to go out on any highway, road or street and obstruct, growl, snap, bite or otherwise annoy any person or domesticated animal lawfully using such highway, or chase or interfere with any motor vehicle so using such highway, road or street.
No owner shall own or harbor a dog or dogs which are a nuisance by reason of vicious disposition or excessive barking or other disturbance.
Any violation of this article shall be punishable by a fine of not more than $75. If such fine is not paid within seven days, a penalty in an amount equal to the fine shall immediately become due and payable in addition to the original fine.
If an animal is found at large in violation of this article, it shall be impounded by the Animal Control Officer.