[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town Meeting of the Town of Dalton. Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Noncriminal disposition — See Ch. 1, Art. II.
Noise made by animals — See Ch. 185, § 185-7B(3).
Doghouse as accessory use in mobile home park — See Ch. 350, § 350-67R.
As used in this bylaw, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICER
Any officer appointed by the Select Board 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 or grooming of dogs.
LICENSE PERIOD
The time between January 1 and December 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 and other pets.
MULTIPLE-PET HOUSEHOLD
More than three dogs over the age of six months of age in a single private residence.
OWNER OR KEEPER
Any person or persons, firm, association or corporation owning, keeping, or who has in his 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, had died, was given away or otherwise disposed of. Further, if the owner or keeper of a dog or other animal be a minor, the parent or guardian of such minor shall be held liable for any violation of this bylaw.
RUN AT LARGE
Free of restraint and permitted to wander on private or public ways at will.
A. 
No owner or keeper of a dog shall permit such dog, whether licensed or unlicensed, to run at large within the Town of Dalton. No person shall permit a dog owned or kept by him beyond the confines of the property of the owner or keeper unless the dog is physically restrained by a leash, which shall not exceed six feet in length.
B. 
No person shall permit a dog owned or kept by him to run freely within the confines of the property of the owner or keeper unless leashed so as to restrain the dog in such manner that the dog will not go beyond the property of the owner or keeper, or unless the dog is securely confined to the premises of the owner or keeper by fencing or appropriate barriers.
C. 
No person shall permit a dog owned or kept by him to be accompanied by a person of inadequate age and discretion to properly control its actions.
D. 
This section shall not apply to property owned and/or controlled by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts where a separate set of rules and regulations apply.
E. 
A dog may, for the purpose of events such as working, hunting, field trials or training purposes, be exempt from the restraining order during such period of time as the dog is actually engaged in the event or sport, provided that the dog is under the direct supervision of a person of adequate age and discretion to properly control its actions.
A. 
Any owner or keeper of a dog six months of age or older in the Town of Dalton shall cause that dog to be licensed as required by MGL Chapter 140 commencing on January 1 of each year.
B. 
Any owner or keeper of more than three dogs must acquire a multiple-pet permit.
C. 
Commercial kennels must be fully licensed pursuant to the provisions of Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 140 and subject to Dalton's Zoning Bylaws.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: See Ch. 350, Zoning.
D. 
Each multiple-pet household and commercial kennel shall be available to inspection by the Animal Control Officer, a Natural Resource Officer, Fish and Game Warden, police officer or the Board of Health.
E. 
All ferrets, dogs and cats six months of age or older must be currently vaccinated against rabies as per MGL c. 140, § 145B.
[Amended 6-22-2020 ATM by Art. 2]
F. 
The annual fee for every animal license, multiple-pet permit, and commercial kennel license, and all fines relevant to animal control shall be established by the Select Board.
[Amended 6-22-2020 ATM by Art. 2]
(1) 
No fee shall be charged for a license for any dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, including a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental disability. Other species of animals, whether wild or domestic, trained or untrained, are not service animals for the purposes of this section.
The work or tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability might include, but is not limited to: assisting individuals who are blind or have low vision with navigation and other tasks; alerting individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing to the presence of people or sounds; providing nonviolent protection or rescue work; pulling a wheelchair; assisting an individual during a seizure; alerting individuals to the presence of allergens; retrieving items such as medicine or the telephone; providing physical support and assistance with balance and stability to individuals with mobility disabilities; and helping persons with psychiatric and neurological disabilities by preventing or interrupting impulsive or destructive behaviors.
(2) 
The owner or keeper of dog(s) for the purpose of rehabilitation and adoption, upon the submission of written proof from a licensed animal rescue league or animal hospital, may be issued a single license for use with multiple animals kept consecutively within any license period; provided, however, that if such owner or keeper keeps more than one animal at the same time, the owner or keeper must obtain an additional license for each additional animal, and pay the annual fee for the same established by the Select Board pursuant to Subsection G.
G. 
The registering, numbering, describing and licensing of animals shall be performed in the office of the Town Clerk, on a form prescribed and supplied by the Town, and shall be subject to the condition expressed therein that the dog so licensed shall be controlled and restrained from killing, chasing or harassing livestock or fowl.
H. 
No license fee shall be refunded in whole or in part for any reason.
I. 
Should any owner or keeper of an animal fail to license that animal as required under MGL Chapter 140, before February 1, the owner or keeper shall pay a late fee as established by the Select Board before obtaining said license, except for a dog brought into the Town as provided by MGL c. 140, § 138. This late fee shall be applicable from the 31st day after arrival of such dog. Any person maintaining a commercial kennel in the Town of Dalton who fails to license as prescribed by this section and the laws of the commonwealth shall pay a late fee as established by the Select Board, commencing February 1.
[Amended 11-19-2007 STM by Art. 2, approved 1-3-2008; 9-22-2008 STM by Art. 3]
J. 
The owner or keeper of a licensed animal shall cause it to wear around its neck or body a collar or harness to which shall be securely attached a tag issued by the Town Clerk at the time of licensing.
K. 
In addition to all other sums due and owing for any license fee hereunder, a person who applies for a license hereunder shall be obligated to pay all prior amounts of license fees determined to be due and owing by the Town Clerk pursuant to this bylaw, for past periods in which said person was obligated to obtain a license. It shall be a violation of the bylaw to fail to pay any said sum due hereunder. This remedy shall be cumulative.
No more than six dogs may be kept at any private residence. Persons owning more than six dogs prior to the passage of this bylaw[1] are permitted to keep such dogs, but may not replace them in excess of the permitted total. This section shall not be applicable to dogs under the age of six months.
[1]
Editor's Note: This bylaw was originally adopted 12-21-1993 STM by Art. 3.
A. 
Any owner or keeper of a dog may be ordered to muzzle said dog by a duly appointed Animal Control Officer and, in his/her absence, by a police officer for either of the following reasons:
(1) 
For having bitten, injured or physically molested any person; or
(2) 
For having physically injured any dog or other animal.
B. 
This order shall remain in effect until removed by the officer after having been satisfied that the dog is unlikely to repeat its offense. Such decision by the officer to remove said order shall not be unreasonably withheld.
A. 
Animal Control Officers or, in their absence, police officers may cause an animal to be impounded for any of the following causes:
(1) 
If found without a license when a license is required; or
(2) 
If found unrestrained as set forth in § 23-2 of this bylaw; or
(3) 
For violation of a muzzling order as provided for in § 23-5 of this bylaw or as provided under MGL c. 140, § 167, as amended; or
(4) 
For having bitten, injured or physically molested any person; or
(5) 
For having physically injured any dog or other animal; or
(6) 
To restore peace when the owner or keeper of an animal is otherwise unavailable, unwilling, or physically unable to restrain his/her animal from causing a nuisance by continuous barking or howling; or
(7) 
To ensure the safety and well-being of the particular animal; or
(8) 
For any violation of this bylaw.
B. 
No later than two days after the impounding of any animal, the owner or keeper shall be notified, or if the owner or keeper of the animal is unknown, or, after reasonable efforts, is not contacted, written notice shall then be posted for 10 consecutive days in the location for posting notices in the Town Hall, which notice shall describe the animal and the place and time of taking. Animals impounded and unclaimed by the owner or keeper after such ten-day period shall be disposed of in accordance with the provisions of MGL c. 140, § 151A. Prior to the end of said ten-day period, the owner or keeper may obtain the release of such dog or other animal upon the payment of all pound fees, fines, and notification costs, if any, and, in the case of a violation of Subsection A(1) of this section, upon obtaining a license as required by law.
C. 
No animal shall be turned over or sold in any manner inconsistent with MGL c. 140, § 151, or disposed of inconsistent with the provisions of § 151A.
Any person or persons found guilty of a violation of any provisions of MGL c. 272, §§ 77, 80A, 94 or 95, will forfeit the right to own or keep any animal within the Town of Dalton and must immediately, upon conviction, surrender all animals in his/her possession to the Animal Control Officer.
The provisions of MGL c. 140, § 153, pertaining to the form of warrants issued by Animal Control Officers are incorporated herein.
A. 
The owner or keeper of a dog which has done damage to livestock or fowl shall be liable for such damage, and the Select Board may order the owner or keeper to pay such damages after an investigation as set forth in MGL Chapter 140.
B. 
In the event that the owner or keeper of such dog known to have done damage to livestock or fowl refuses to pay upon the order of the Select Board, the Select Board shall enter or cause to be entered a complaint in the District Court for the enforcement of the order.
C. 
In addition, the Select Board or its agents thereto authorized in writing may, after written notice to the owner or keeper, enter upon the premises of the owner or keeper of any dog known to them 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 purpose shall give a bond in the sum of $200, with sufficient sureties approved by the Select Board, conditioned that the dog is continually restrained. If the owner or keeper of the dog declares his intention to give such a bond, said Select Board or its agents shall allow him seven days, exclusive of Sundays and holidays, in which to procure and prepare the same and to present it to the Select Board or to file it with the Town Clerk.
D. 
If a dog which has previously been ordered restrained by the Select Board, or upon review by the District Court, wounds any person or shall maim or kill any livestock or fowl, the owner or keeper of such dog will be liable to the person injured thereby in treble the amount of damages sustained by him.
E. 
The owner or keeper of any animal injured or killed by a motor vehicle shall be responsible for the cost of all rescue response, emergency care, treatment and/or disposal of said animal.
The Animal Control Officer(s) duly appointed or, in their absence, police officers shall enforce the provisions of this Animal Control Bylaw and shall attend to all complaints or other matters pertaining to animals in the Town of Dalton.
A. 
Notwithstanding any provisions of the General Laws to the contrary, any person(s) who 1) refuses to answer or answers falsely questions of an Animal Control Officer or a police officer pertaining to his/her ownership of an animal; or 2) is found guilty of cruelty to animals; or 3) refuses to turn over any animal to the Animal Control Officer upon demand as authorized by §§ 23-6 and 23-7 of this bylaw; or 4) violates a Select Board order shall be punished by a fine not less than $100 nor more than $300.
B. 
Any owner or keeper who 1) violates the provisions of this bylaw; or 2) is the owner/keeper of any animal who shall be found by an Animal Control Officer to have defecated on private property other than that of its owner/keeper, or on a public sidewalk; or 3) is the owner/keeper of any animal who intentionally allows any such animal to cause a nuisance by barking, howling or otherwise disturb another person's right to peace; or 4) is the owner/keeper of an animal found to have bitten or injured any person, dog or other animal may be penalized by noncriminal disposition as provided in MGL c. 40, § 21D, and shall be punished by a fine not to exceed $300.
C. 
Where applicable, each day shall constitute a separate offense.
A. 
Notwithstanding any provisions of the General Laws to the contrary, any Animal Control Officer who takes cognizance of a violation of 1) this bylaw; or 2) failure to license animals pursuant to MGL Chapter 140 and this bylaw; or 3) failure to obtain multiple-pet permit or commercial kennel license; or 4) failure to vaccinate against rabies pursuant to MGL c. 140, § 145B, may issue or mail a notice of complaint of violation of the municipal Animal Control Bylaw to the owner or keeper of such animal.
B. 
Any owner or keeper found in violation of the above-mentioned procedure shall be subject to a fine of not more than $50.
A. 
Nothing contained within this bylaw shall limit or restrict any enforcement officer's authority to seek criminal prosecution of any violation of state or federal law.
B. 
If any part, section or provision of this bylaw is found to be invalid, the remainder of this bylaw shall not be affected thereby.