The text
DIVISION 1. - GENERALLY#
Secs. 10-26—10-40. - Reserved.#
DIVISION 2. - ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICER#
Sec. 10-41. - Enforcement.#
The provisions of this chapter shall be enforced by the animal control officer and any police officer of the town.
(Code 1982, § 4-2; Code 2003, § 10-41)
Sec. 10-42. - Complaints.#
All complaints made under the provisions of this chapter shall be made to the animal control officer or any police officer and may be made orally; provided, however, that such complaint shall be reduced to writing within 48 hours and shall be signed by the complainant showing such complainant's address and telephone number, if any.
(Code 1982, § 4-22(b); Code 2003, § 10-42)
Sec. 10-43. - Recordkeeping.#
(a)
It shall be the duty of the animal control officer to keep, or cause to be kept, accurate and detailed records of the impoundment and disposition of all animals coming into such officer's custody.
(b)
It shall be the duty of the animal control officer to keep, or cause to be kept, accurate and detailed records of all the bite cases reported to such officer and all investigations of such cases.
(c)
It shall be the duty of the animal control officer to keep, or cause to be kept, accurate and detailed records of any and all complaints made to such officer or the police and his investigation of such complaints.
(d)
It shall be the duty of the animal control officer to keep, or cause to be kept, accurate and detailed daily records of all the animals that are seized or come into custody as well as the disposition of each animal impounded.
(e)
It shall be the duty of the animal control officer to keep a record of all seized and impounded dogs as prescribed by the state department of environmental management, as required by G.L. 1956, § 4-19-12.
(f)
It shall be the duty of the animal control officer to keep, or cause to be kept, accurate and detailed records of any and all money in his possession belonging to the town. Such records shall be open to inspections at reasonable times by such persons responsible for similar records of the town, and they shall be audited by the town annually in the same manner as other town records are audited.
(Code 1982, § 4-3; Code 2003, § 10-43)
State Law reference— Disposition of animals impounded, G.L. 1956, § 4-19-12.
Sec. 10-44. - Right of entry.#
In the discharge of the duties imposed by this chapter, the animal control officer or any police officer shall have the authority at all reasonable times to enter upon any premises, but such authority should not include the right to enter any residence on such premises without the owner's permission to examine a dog or other animal which it is reasonable to suspect is in violation of a provision of this chapter. Such officer shall have the further authority to take possession of any such dog or other animal and remove it from such premises.
(Code 1982, § 4-4; Code 2003, § 10-44)
Sec. 10-45. - Interference with officers by others.#
No person shall interfere with, hinder or molest the animal control officer or any police officer of the town in the performance of such officer's duties, or seek to release any animal in the custody of the animal control officer or any police officer, except as provided in this article.
(Code 1982, § 4-5; Code 2003, § 10-45)
State Law reference— Obstructing officer in execution of duty, G.L. 1956, § 11-32-1.
Sec. 10-46. - Destruction of animal under emergency circumstances.#
Under emergency circumstances, the animal control officer or any police officer may destroy any injured or maimed animal after making reasonable efforts to contact the owner of such animal if the owner's identification is present on the animal.
(Code 1982, § 4-8(c); Code 2003, § 10-46)
State Law reference— Disposition of animals in emergencies, G.L. 1956, § 4-19-12(a).