As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise indicates, the
following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICER
Any officer appointed by the Board of Selectmen to enforce the laws
relating to animals.
ANIMALS
All animals of any species, both male and female, including but not
limited to dogs and cats.
COMMERCIAL KENNEL
A kennel maintained as a business for or to include the boarding
of dogs.
LICENSE PERIOD
The time between April 1 and March 31, both dates inclusive.
LIVESTOCK or FOWL
Animals or fowl kept or propagated by the owner for food or as a
means of livelihood, kept in proper houses or suitably enclosed yards. Such
phrase shall not include dogs, cats or other pets.
MULTIPLE PET LICENSE
A license issued for the keeping of several dogs over the age of
six months in a single private residence.
OWNER or KEEPER
Any person or persons, firm, association or corporation owning or
keeping, or who or which has in his or its possession, for 11 consecutive
days in any calendar year, a dog or any other animal, licensed or unlicensed,
and cannot show to the satisfaction of the Animal Control Officer that such
animal was sold, has died, or has been given away or otherwise disposed of.
Further, if the owner or keeper of a dog or other animal is a minor, the parent
or guardian of such minor shall be held liable for any violation of this chapter.
RUN AT LARGE
Free of restraint and permitted to wander on private or public ways
at will.
The Board of Selectmen or its agents may, after written notice to the
owner or keeper, enter upon the premises of the owner or keeper of any dog
known to it to have killed livestock or fowl and then and there kill such
dog, unless such owner or keeper whose premises are thus entered for said
purposes shall give a bond in the sum of $200, with sufficient sureties approved
by the Board of Selectmen, conditioned that the dog is continually restrained.
If the owner or keeper of the dog declares his intention to give such a bond,
said Selectmen or their agents shall allow the owner or keeper seven days,
exclusive of Sundays and holidays, in which to procure and prepare the same
and to present it to them.
[Amended 6-21-2005 ATM by Art. 24]
Whoever violates any provision of this chapter shall be subject to the
noncriminal disposition of the violation pursuant to MGL c. 40, § 21D,
punishable by a fine of $50 for a first offense, $100 for a second offense
and $300 for a third or subsequent offense occurring in any twelve-month period.
This penalty shall be assessed notwithstanding any other penalty or fine set
forth elsewhere in the Town Code. Each day that any violation exists shall
constitute separate violation under this provision. All fines and penalties
shall be paid into the Treasury of the Town of Adams.