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Sec. 8-1. - 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:
Animal control officer means the person employed by the city as its enforcement officer, and shall include any police officer of the city.
At large means any dog that is off the property of its owner and not under restraint as hereinafter defined.
Collared means a dog that wears around its neck a collar with license attached and the name of the owner or keeper distinctly impressed thereon.
Commercial establishment means any for profit business enterprise, including a sole proprietorship engaged in retail or wholesale commerce related to dogs and cats, including grooming parlors, canine day care, and boarding facilities.
Dog pound means any premises designated by action of the town for the purpose of impounding and caring for all animals found running at large in violation of this chapter.
Exposed to rabies means a dog that has been bitten by or been exposed to any animal known to have been infected with rabies.
Kennel means any person engaged in the commercial business of breeding, buying, selling or boarding dogs.
Leashed means a dog that has a cord or chain attached to its collar or harness and such cord or chain of not more than six feet is held in the hand by the owner or competent person leading the dog.
Nonprofit rescue organization means any Rhode Island nonprofit corporation that is exempt from taxation under Internal Revenue Code, Section 50l{c)(3} whose mission and practice is, in whole and significant part, the rescue and placement of dogs or cats: or any nonprofit organization that is not exempt from taxation under Internal Revenue Code, Section 50l(c)(3) but is currently an active rescue partner with a City of Central Falls whose mission is, in whole and significant part, the rescue and placement of does or cats.
Owner means any person owning, keeping or harboring a dog.
Restraint means a dog that is leashed or that is on or within a vehicle being driven or parked on the streets or that is within the property limits of its owner or keeper.
(Code 1973, § 4-8; Code 1994, § 8-31; Ord. No. 96-006-O, 3-13-1996; Ord. of 12-14-1998; Ord. of 4-11-2005(2); Ord. of 9-29-2014(1); Ord. of 11-13-2023(2), § 1)
Sec. 8-2. - Penalties.#
(a)
Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, any person convicted of violating any provision of this chapter pertaining to animals may be punished by the payment of a fine as follows:
(1)
First offense, a fine not exceeding $10.00.
(2)
Second offense within a year, a fine not exceeding $15.00.
(3)
Third and each subsequent offenses within a year, a fine not exceeding $25.00.
Such fines shall be recovered for the use of the city; and if such violation is continued, each day's violation may constitute a separate offense.
(b)
The animal control officer may issue citations to the owners of the animals for the violation of this chapter, which may be paid by mail. The fines may be paid by mail at the city police station within seven days from notification of such violation. Thereafter, failure to dispose of such citation shall cause the owner's appearance before the municipal court or state district court for trial.
(Code 1973, § 4-13; Code 1994, § 8-36; Ord. of 9-29-2014(1))
State Law reference— Similar provisions, G.L. 1956, § 4-13-1.
Sec. 8-3. - Exemptions.#
(a)
Hospitals, clinics and other premises operated by licensed veterinarians for the care and treatment of animals are exempt from the provisions of this chapter, except where expressly stated.
(b)
The licensing and vaccination requirements of this chapter shall not apply to any dog belonging to a nonresident of the city and kept within the city for no longer than 30 days, provided that all such dogs shall at times while in the city be kept within a building enclosure or vehicle or be under restraint by the owner or other competent person.
(Code 1994, § 8-41; Ord. of 12-14-1998; Ord. of 9-29-2014(1))
Sec. 8-4. - Complaint procedure.#
All complaints made under the provisions of this chapter shall be made to the animal control officer and may be made orally, provided that such complaint is reduced to writing on forms provided by the animal control officer and signed by the complainant showing his address and telephone number, if any, within 48 hours.
(Code 1994, § 8-10.1; Ord. of 12-14-1998; Ord. of 9-29-2014(1))
Sec. 8-5. - Nuisance abatement.#
(a)
The following acts shall be declared to be public nuisances:
(1)
To keep or harbor any dog or other animal, whether licensed or not, which by unreasonable and habitual howling, yelping, barking or other noise disturbs or annoys two or more persons having separate residences or tenements, as reported to and determined by the animal control officer or any police officer of this city.
(2)
To allow or permit any animal to trespass on private or public property so as to damage or destroy any property or thing of value.
(b)
Any such animal may be impounded by the animal control officer whenever it shall be alleged in writing by two or more persons having separate residences or tenements or regularly employed in the neighborhood that any animal is a nuisance by reason of barking, howling, yelping or other noise, trespassing, causing damage to property or is vicious or in any manner causing undue annoyance. The animal control officer, if he finds such nuisance to exist, shall serve notice upon the owner or custodian that such nuisance must be abated.
(c)
If the nuisance is not abated, the animal control officer may impound the animal and notify the owner to appear before the district court for a hearing to determine if there has been a violation of this section. Each day that such nuisance shall exist shall constitute a separate offense.
(Code 1973, § 4-7; Code 1994, § 8-10; Ord. of 9-29-2014(1))
Sec. 8-6. - Cattle running at large.#
It shall be unlawful for the owner or keeper of any horse, sheep, hog, goat or cattle to allow the same to go at large, loose or unfastened in any public street or highway within the limits of the city or on any land therein thrown open as a way for public travel and used by the public for travel, although such way is not legally a public street or highway, or to go at large elsewhere in the city.
(Code 1973, § 4-1; Code 1994, § 8-3; Ord. of 9-29-2014(1))
State Law reference— Animals at large, G.L. 1956, §§ 4-15-1 et seq.; estrays, G.L. 1956, §§ 4-16-1 et seq.
Sec. 8-7. - Keeping of animals.#
(a)
Raising or breeding of animals prohibited. The raising or breeding of any animals is prohibited in the city by the City Zoning Ordinance, Appendix A to this Code. Any person who violates this section shall be subject to fines as enumerated in this Code.
(b)
Keeping of certain animals restricted. No owner or keeper or occupant of any dwelling shall keep or permit to be kept any sheep, hogs, goats, cattle, horses, geese, ducks, chickens, rabbits or other fowl in any dwelling house, cellar or garage, or shall have any such animals kept within the city except under such special conditions as may be prescribed by the animal control officer.
(Code 1973, § 4-2; Code 1994, § 8-4; Ord. of 10-20-2008; Ord. of 9-29-2014(1))
Sec. 8-8. - Keeping swine.#
It shall be unlawful for any person to keep any swine within the limits of the city.
(Code 1973, § 4-3; Code 1994, § 8-5; Ord. of 9-29-2014(1))
Sec. 8-9. - Fowl not to be kept in dwelling house.#
It shall be unlawful for the owner or occupant of any dwelling house to keep or permit to be kept any live fowl, geese or ducks in such dwelling house or in the cellar of any such house; provided that the provisions of this section shall not apply to parakeets, canaries and similar fowl kept as pets.
(Code 1973, § 4-4; Code 1994, § 8-6; Ord. of 9-29-2014(1))
Sec. 8-10. - Wild animals.#
No wild animal may be kept within the city limits, except under such conditions as shall be fixed by the animal control officer; provided, however, that wild animals may be kept for exhibition purposes by circuses, zoos and educational institutions, in accordance with such regulations as shall be established by the animal control officer. Any wild animal which escapes and is found at large may be destroyed by the animal control officer or any police officer of this city.
(Code 1973, § 4-11(f); Code 1994, § 8-7; Ord. of 9-29-2014(1))
Sec. 8-11. - Dead animals—Disposition.#
Every person residing or being in the city who shall have any dog, cat or other animal die in the city shall remove or cause to be removed or bury or cause to be buried the carcass within 24 hours after the death of such animal, so that every part of such animal shall be at least three feet below the natural surface of the ground where such animal shall be buried.
(Code 1973, § 4-5; Code 1994, § 8-8; Ord. of 9-29-2014(1))
Sec. 8-12. - Same—Bringing into city.#
It shall be unlawful for any person to bring or cause to be brought into the city the dead body of any animal and leave or cause such dead animal to be left within the city, unless such dead animal and every part and portion thereof shall be buried at least three feet below the natural surface of the ground and in conformity with the requirements of the director of public health.
(Code 1973, § 4-6; Code 1994, § 8-9; Ord. of 9-29-2014(1))
Sec. 8-13. - Domestic animal waste and its removal.#
(a)
"Domestic animal" defined. For the purpose of this section, the term "domestic animal" means dog, cat or ferret.
(b)
Duties to dispose. It shall be the duty of each person who owns, possesses or controls a domestic animal to remove and dispose of any feces left by his domestic animal on any sidewalk, street, park or other public area, or any other property owned by the city.
(c)
Method of removal and disposal. For the purpose of this regulation, the means of removal shall be any tool, implement or other device carried for the purpose of picking up and containing such feces, unexposed to said person or the public. Disposal shall be accomplished by transporting such feces to a place suitable and regularly reserved for the disposal of human feces.
(d)
Fines for violation. Violation of this regulation shall be punishable by a fine not exceeding $10.00 for the first offense, $15.00 for the second offense within a year, and $25.00 for the third and any subsequent offense within a year.
(Code 1994, § 8-11; Ord. of 6-27-1997; Ord. of 9-29-2014(1))
Sec. 8-14. - Reasonable accommodation for disabilities.#
For any restrictions in this chapter, the city shall make reasonable accommodation, upon request, based on a disability in conformity with relevant city, state and federal law.
(Ord. of 9-29-2014(1))
Sec. 8-15. - Human pet sales required.#
(a)
It is unlawful for any person to display. offer for sale, deliver, barter, auction, give away, transfer, or sell an live dog or cat in any pet store. retail business or other commercial establishment located in the City of Central Falls.
(b)
Nothing in this section shall prevent the owner, operator, or employees of a pet store, retail business, or other commercial establishment located in the City of Central Falls from providing space and appropriate care for animals owned by a city animal shelter or animal control agency, humane society, or nonprofit rescue organization and maintain those animals at the pet store retail business or other commercial establishment for the purpose of public adoption.
(c)
Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter or code to the contrary, any person or commercial establishment who violates, fails or refuses to comply with the provisions of this section shall be subject to a fine of not more than $500.00 for each separate offense. The continuation of such violation for each successive day shall constitute a separate offense, and the person, persons and/or commercial establishment allowing or permitting the continuation of the violation may be subject to penalties as provided herein for each separate offense.
(Ord. of 11-13-2023(2), § 1)