The text
Sec. 6-21. - Running at large.#
(a)
Prohibited generally. Every owner or keeper of a dog of any age whatsoever in the town shall not allow such dog to be at large outside the enclosure of such owner or keeper, but shall cause such dog when outside the enclosure of such owner or keeper to be kept on a leash.
(b)
Impoundment; fee and notice. Every dog found wandering at large on any sidewalk or in any street or highway in the town, or anywhere outside the enclosure of its owner or keeper shall be impounded by the animal control officer, who shall receive $25.00 for the use of the town for impounding such dog for the first time; $50.00 for the second time and $75.00 for each time after the second time that the dog is impounded for wandering at large. In addition thereto, $5.00 per day shall be paid for the services of the animal control officer for each day the dog is impounded for its feeding and care. If the owner or keeper of such dog shall not, within 24 hours from such impounding, seek the release of such dog, the animal control officer shall notify such owner or keeper of such dog, if known, of such impounding.
(Code 1986, § 3-17; Ch. 788, § 1, 8-16-1999)
State Law reference— Fine for violation, authority to permit citation and fine payment by mail, G.L. 1956, § 4-13-1(8); unrestricted dogs, fine, G.L. 1956, § 4-13-15.1.
Sec. 6-22. - Dog bites.#
(a)
Impoundment; investigation. Every dog, outside the enclosure of its owner or keeper, which shall bite or assault a human being, may be impounded immediately upon the filing of a written complaint with the animal control officer or the police department. The dog may be kept impounded until disposition of the case by a court of competent jurisdiction in accordance, with the provisions of this division. In making the investigation of the incident referred to in this subsection, it shall be the duty of the police and the animal control officer to inform the dog owner of the provisions of this section.
(b)
Penalties. The owner or keeper of any dog which bites or assaults a human being as provided in subsection (a) of this section may be fined $25.00 for the first offense, $50.00 for the second offense within a year, $75.00 for the third and any subsequent offense within a year, or the court may order destruction of the dog for the first offense or any subsequent offense. In addition to the above penalties, the owner or keeper shall pay the sum of $5.00 per day for the services of the animal control officer for each day the dog is impounded.
(Code 1986, § 3-19; Ch. 788, § 1, 8-16-1999)
State Law reference— Fines, G.L. 1956, § 4-13-1(8); authority regarding vicious dog, G.L. 1956, § 4-13-19; rabies control, G.L. 1956, § 4-13-31; vicious dogs, G.L. 1956, §§ 4-13.1-3, 4-13-15.1.
Sec. 6-23. - Redemption of impounded dogs.#
To obtain the release and possession of an impounded dog, the owner or keeper of the dog impounded shall pay the animal control officer the fees provided in this division together with the expense of advertising, if any; shall provide proof of the dog being licensed; and shall provide proof of a current rabies vaccination. The owner or keeper of the dog impounded shall be liable to pay the impound fees regardless of whether the owner or keeper seeks release of the impounded dog. A failure to pay the fees shall be deemed to be an offense under this article.
(Ch. 788, § 1, 8-16-1999)
State Law reference— Mandatory spaying or neutering, G.L. 1956, § 4-19-16.
Sec. 6-24. - Unattended animals in vehicles.#
No animal shall be left unattended in a vehicle when the conditions in that vehicle would constitute a health hazard to the animal. For purposes of this section, the term "health hazard to the animal" shall include, but shall not be limited to, cases where there are extreme temperatures, the animal is showing signs of stress and discomfort, or where there is a lack of potable water available for the animal. If the owner of the animal cannot be found within ten minutes of discovery of the unattended animal in the vehicle, then the animal may be seized and impounded by the town. The owner will then have to claim the animal and pay all costs incurred by the town as a result of the impoundment of the animal. The owner, regardless as to whether the animal is impounded, shall be cited under this section and shall be subject to a fine of $25.00 for the first offense within a calendar year, $50.00 for the second offense within a calendar year, and $75.00 for the third and each subsequent offense within a calendar year.
(Ch. 906, § 1, 2-17-2009)