The Village Board of Trustees of the Village of Rouses Point
(the Village) finds that the running-at-large and other uncontrolled
behavior of licensed and unlicensed dogs has caused physical harm
to persons and damage to property and created nuisances within the
Village. The purpose of this chapter is to protect the health, safety
and well-being of persons and property by imposing restrictions on
the keeping and running-at-large of dogs within the Village.
This chapter is enacted pursuant to the provisions of § 124
of Article 7 of the Agriculture and Markets Law of the State of New
York.
The title of this chapter shall be "Dog Control Law of the Village
of Rouses Point."
As used in this chapter, the following words shall have the
following respective meanings:
AGRICULTURE AND MARKETS LAW
The Agriculture and Markets Law of the State of New York
in effect as of the effective date of this chapter, as amended by
this chapter, and as amended thereafter.
CONFINED
That such animal is securely confined or restrained and kept
on the owner's premises, whether within a building, kennel or
other suitable enclosure or securely fastened on a chain, wire or
other effective tether of such length and so arranged that the animal
cannot reach or endanger any person or any adjacent premises or any
public street, way or place, or, if the animal is being transported
by the owner, that it is securely confined in a crate or other container,
or so restrained in a vehicle that it cannot be expected to escape
therefrom.
DOG
Male and female, licensed and unlicensed, members of the
species Canis familiaris.
DOG CONTROL OFFICER
Any person authorized by the Clinton County Legislature or
the Village Board of Trustees from time to time to enforce the provisions
of this chapter or the provisions of the Agriculture and Markets Law.
HARBOR
To provide food or shelter to any dog.
OWNER
The party purchasing the license, unless the dog is or has
been lost and such loss has been reported to the Dog Warden and reasonable
search has been made. If an animal is not licensed, the terms "owner"
shall designate and cover any person or persons, firm, association
or corporation who or which at any time owns or has custody or control
of, harbors, or is otherwise responsible for any animal which is kept,
brought or comes within the Village. Any person owning or harboring
a dog for a period of one week prior to the filing of any complaint
charging a violation of this chapter shall be held and deemed to be
the owner of such dog for the purpose of this chapter. In the event
any dog found to be in violation of this chapter shall be owned by
a minor, the head of the household in which said minor resides shall
be deemed to have custody and control of said dog and shall be responsible
for any acts of said dog in violation of this chapter.
RECREATIONAL AREA
Any real property owned by the Village which is used for
recreational purposes by the public, including, but not limited to,
parks or playgrounds.
RUN AT LARGE
To be in a public place or on private lands without the knowledge,
consent and approval of the owner of such lands.
SCHOOL PREMISES
Any real property situate within the Village which is used
for educational purposes or purposes incidental thereto.
VILLAGE
The area within the corporate limits of the Village.
This chapter shall be enforced by any dog control officer or
peace officer when acting pursuant to his/her special duties.
Any dog control officer, peace officer when acting pursuant
to his/her special duties, or police officer in the employ of or under
contract to the Village observing a violation of this chapter in his/her
presence shall issue and serve an appearance ticket for such violation.
A conviction of a violation of this chapter shall be deemed
an offense and shall be punishable by a fine not exceeding $150 for
the first offense, and $250 for each offense thereafter.