Sec. 8-74. - Impoundment; harboring fierce, dangerous or vicious animals.

(a)

Any dog found running at large not under restraint as defined in section 8-1, or uncollared, shall be taken up by the animal control officer and impounded in the shelter designated as the city dog pound, and there confined in a humane manner for a period of not less than five days, and may thereafter be disposed of in a humane manner if not claimed by its owner. Dogs not claimed by their owners before the expiration of five days may be disposed of at the discretion of the animal control officer, except as provided in this article in the cases of certain dogs.

(b)

The animal control officer may transfer title to any dog held at the dog pound to the society for the prevention of cruelty to animals after the legal detention period has expired and such dog has not been claimed by its owner.

(c)

When dogs are found running at large and their ownership is known to the animal control officer, such dogs need not be impounded; but such officer may cite the owners of dogs to appear in court to answer to charges of violation of this article.

(d)

Immediately upon impounding dogs, the animal control officer shall make every possible reasonable effort to notify the owners of such dogs so impounded, and inform such owners of the conditions whereby they may regain custody of such dogs.

(e)

Any animal, other than a dog, found running at large within the city limits may be impounded or disposed of according to law when such action is required either to protect the animal or to protect the residents of the city.

(f)

Any owner, custodian or person harboring any fierce, dangerous at vicious animal that shall bite or otherwise inflict any injury on any person shall be guilty of an offense.

(Code 1973, § 4-12; Code 1994, § 8-34; Ord. of 12-14-1998; Ord. of 9-29-2014(1))

State Law reference— Impoundment and disposition of uncollared dogs, G.L. 1956, § 4-13-15; vicious dogs, G.L. 1956, § 4-13.1-1 et seq.