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Sec. 6-1. - Definitions.#
The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this chapter, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:
Adequate food means the provision at suitable intervals, not to exceed 24 hours, of a quantity of wholesome foodstuff suitable for the species and age, sufficient to maintain a reasonable level of nutrition in each animal. The foodstuff shall be served in a sanitized receptacle, dish or container.
Adequate water means the constant access to a supply of clean, fresh, potable water provided in a sanitary manner or provided at suitable intervals for the species and not to exceed 24 hours at any interval.
Animal control officers means the persons employed by the town as its enforcing officers for the purpose of the enforcement of the town's municipal ordinances, and any state laws relating to the licensing of dogs, control of dogs, seizure and impoundment of dogs and the implementation of the state rabies mandates as set forth by the state rabies control board.
Animal shelter means the facility designated by action of the town administrator for the purpose of impounding and caring for, in a humane manner, any dog that is found running at large in violation of this chapter, or any dog or cat seized for the purpose of quarantine, as set forth by the state's rabies control board.
Back yard feeder cats means any feline which, while maintained, fed and/or harbored by any individual, partnership, firm, corporation or other legal entity maintains, by parentage and upbringing, the traits and characteristics of a feral cat.
Dog means a domesticated canine, and shall include both the male and female of the species.
Domestic cat means any cat which, by upbringing, is tame and adapted to and totally dependent upon human living conditions.
Enclosure means a fence or structure of at least six feet in height, forming or causing an enclosure suitable to prevent the entry of young children, and suitable to confine a vicious dog in conjunction with other measures which may be taken by the owner or keeper, such as tethering of the vicious dog. The enclosure shall be securely enclosed and locked and designed with secure sides, top and bottom, and shall be designed to prevent the animal from escaping from the enclosure.
Feral cat means any feline, which by limited or no exposure to humans, react and act as any wild animal, and do not depend upon humans for their primary source of food.
Impounded means the taking into custody of a dog by an officer of the town.
Owner means any person owning, keeping, maintaining, or harboring dogs or cats, and/or has any dog or cat in his care or control, or who acts as its custodian, and any person who has, or permits, dogs or cats to remain on or about any premises owned and/or occupied by such person.
Rabies target species means any raccoon, skunk, fox, bat, woodchuck or any carnivorous wild animal.
Restraint means a dog confined within a vehicle, confined within the property limits of its owner or on a leash under the control of a competent person. A dog is not considered confined if it can escape from the property limits due to open windows or doors or if fences are not properly maintained or of a sufficient height.
Sanitize means to make physically clean and to remove and destroy, to a practical minimum, agents injurious to health and well-being.
Vicious dog (as used in sections 6-101 and 6-102) means: (1)
Any dog which, when unprovoked, in a vicious or terrorizing manner, approaches any person in an apparent attitude of attack upon the streets, sidewalks or any public grounds or places;
(2)
Any dog with a known propensity, tendency or disposition to attack unprovoked, to cause injury to or to otherwise endanger the safety of human beings or domestic animals;
(3)
Any dog which bites, inflicts injury, assaults or otherwise attacks a human being or domestic animal without provocation on public or private property; or
(4)
Any dog owned or harbored primarily or in part for the purpose of dogfighting or any dog trained for dogfighting.
No dog may be declared vicious if an injury or damage is sustained by a person, who, at the time that injury or damage was sustained, was committing a willful trespass or other tort upon premises occupied by the owner or keeper of the dog, or was teasing, tormenting, abusing or assaulting the dog or was committing or attempting to commit a crime. No dog may be declared vicious if an injury or damage was sustained by a domestic animal which at the time that injury or damage was sustained was teasing, tormenting, abusing or assaulting the dog. No dog may be declared vicious if the dog was protecting or defending a human being within the immediate vicinity of the dog from an unjustified attack or assault.
(Code 1972, § 4-5; Ord. No. 2001-32, 10-24-01)
Cross reference— Definitions generally, § 1-2.
Sec. 6-2. - Animals at large.#
No cattle, sheep, goats, swine, horses, rabbits and domestic fowl shall be at large, loose or unfastened in any public street or highway or elsewhere in the town, and every owner of any such animal found at large shall be guilty of a violation of this chapter.
(Code 1972, § 4-1)
Sec. 6-3. - Registration of bovine, horses, livestock, rabbits and domestic fowl required.#
The owner, harborer and/or keeper of any cattle, sheep, goats, swine, horses, rabbits and domestic fowl housed, kept or boarded within the town must register with the town police department/division of animal control. Registration information must include the name, address and phone number of the owner, emergency contact name and phone number location where the animals are housed and the number of, and type of, animals kept.
(Code 1972, § 4-1.1)
Sec. 6-4. - Cleanliness and sanitation of premises where animals and fowl kept.#
The owner or person in control of any building or premises in which cows, goats, sheep, swine, poultry, horses and/or rabbits are maintained shall keep the building and premises clean and free from decaying food, dirt, water and fecal matter. Buildings and pens shall be whitewashed and disinfected and put in such sanitary conditions as may be ordered by the animal control officer.
(Code 1972, § 4-2)
Sec. 6-5. - Feeding of birds, domestic animals.#
(a)
No person shall place food in the open for the feeding of any domesticated fowl, bird or animal, except in such containers as will prevent the scattering of such food upon the ground. After such feeding, such food shall not be allowed where it is accessible to rats.
(b)
No person shall feed wild birds other than in suitable containers for the food, elevated at least 48 inches above the ground level.
(Code 1972, § 4-3)
Sec. 6-6. - Feeding of wildlife.#
No person shall feed, or place food or refuse in such a manner as to cause a food source for any wild animal.
(Code 1972, § 4-3.1)
Sec. 6-7. - Requirements for stables.#
The owner or other person having control of any building erected for or converted into a barn for the stabling of horses or other domestic animals shall keep such barn, stable and yard clean, and shall provide a pit constructed of cement or other suitable material for the reception of manure and other refuse matter. Such pit and premises shall be so maintained that adequate control of fly breeding is obtained. Wherever a public sewer is accessible, the town council, after consultation with other relevant officials, will decide as to the advisability of connecting such buildings to such public sewer.
(Code 1972, § 4-4)