The text
Sec. 3-30. - Licensing of dogs.#
Any person who becomes the owner or keeper of a dog shall obtain a license for that dog within thirty (30) days of becoming the owner or keeper of said dog or within thirty (30) days of said dog attaining the age of six (6) months. Said license shall be renewed annually in accordance with section 3-14 of this chapter.
Comment Text (parent not a footnote)(Ord. of 7-8-99, § 1)
Sec. 3-31. - Restraint.#
(a)
The owner shall keep his dog under restraint at all times and shall not permit such dog to be at large, off the premises or property of the owner, unless under the control of a competent person.
(b)
Restraint means when the animal is leashed, within a motor vehicle, on the property of its owner or keeper, or on the property of a person other than its owner or keeper, provided that such person is agreeable to the animal's presence.
Comment Text (parent not a footnote)(Ord. of 11-11-71, § 3; Ord. of 9-9-93)
Sec. 3-32. - Impoundment.#
(a)
Any dog found running at large in the town shall be taken up by the animal control officer, and impounded in the shelter designated as the town dog pound, and confined there in a humane manner for a period of not less than five (5) days, unless first claimed by owner thereof in accordance with section 3-37, and may thereafter be disposed of in a humane manner if not claimed by their owners.
(b)
When dogs are found running at large, and their ownership is known to the animal control officer, such officer may:
(1)
Cite the owners of such dogs to appear in the Eighth District Court to answer charges of violation of this article;
(2)
Impound the dog; or
(3)
Both cite the owners to appear in the Eighth District Court and impound the dog.
(c)
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.
(d)
Any animal, other than a dog, found running at large within the town 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 town.
Comment Text (parent not a footnote)(Ord. of 11-11-71, § 4)
Sec. 3-33. - Number of dogs restricted.#
No person shall keep, other than in a duly licensed breeding kennel, in any household (or on the premises thereof) occupied by such person more than two (2) dogs over the age of six (6) months without first obtaining a permit from the town council.
Comment Text (parent not a footnote)(Ord. of 6-14-45(2), § 1)
Sec. 3-34. - Penalty for violations; citations.#
(a)
The animal control officer of the town is authorized to issue citations which may be paid by mail to the owners or keepers of dogs for the violation of any provision of this article.
(b)
Citations paid by mail shall be by check or money order payable to "Town of Scituate," postmarked within ten (10) days of the date of the citation and mailed by regular mail, postage prepaid, addressed to:
Animal Control Officer
Town of Scituate
P.O. Box ;#rule;
North Scituate, RI 02857
(c)
Fines for violation of any dog ordinance of the town shall be as set forth in General Laws Section 14-13-1(b)(13)(i) as follows:
(1)
Twenty dollars ($20.00) for the first offense within a calendar year;
(2)
Thirty dollars ($30.00) for the second offense within a calendar year; and
(3)
Fifty dollars ($50.00) for the third and each subsequent offense within a calendar year.
(d)
All fines for violation of any provision of this article shall be added to the general fund of the town.
Comment Text (parent not a footnote)(Ord. of 11-14-85; Ord. of 7-8-99, § 1)
Sec. 3-35. - Control of biting dogs.#
(a)
Every dog which bites a person shall be promptly reported to the animal control officer, and shall thereupon be securely quarantined at the direction of the animal control officer for a period of fourteen (14) days. Upon demand of the animal control officer the owner or keeper of such dog shall, at his own expense, cause such dog to be examined for rabies by a licensed veterinarian who shall furnish a written report of his examination to the animal control officer. In cases where such examination has been demanded the dog shall remain quarantined until the animal control officer has received the veterinarian's report.
(b)
In addition to the quarantine and examination set forth in (a) above, every dog which bites a person for a second time while off the premises of its owner or keeper shall thereafter be kept confined on the premises of its owner or keeper or in a kennel, except that it shall be allowed to leave such premises or kennel confined in a motor vehicle or under control on a leash.
(c)
Every dog which habitually bites or attacks other dogs or domestic animals while off the premises of its owner or keeper shall, at the direction of the animal control officer, be kept confined as provided in paragraph (b) above.
Comment Text (parent not a footnote)(Ord. of 3-9-67, §§ 1—3)
Sec. 3-36. - Control of unspayed female dogs.#
The animal control officer may from time to time direct the owner or keeper of any unspayed female dog to keep such dog confined as provided in section 3-35(b). Such period of confinement shall not exceed twenty-one (21) days at any one (1) time.
Comment Text (parent not a footnote)(Ord. of 3-9-67, § 4)
Sec. 3-37. - Confinement by town.#
If the owner or keeper of any dog shall fail to obey an order of the animal control officer as to quarantine, confinement or veterinarian examination, the animal control officer is empowered to seize such dog and may enter upon the premises of the owner or keeper to do so. Thereafter, the owner or keeper shall be liable to the town for the cost of picking up such dog, for the cost of impoundment and for the expense of examination by a veterinarian. The animal control officer shall not be obliged to surrender such dog to the owner or keeper until all such fees and expenses are paid in full. If after five (5) days the owner or keeper does not reclaim such dog and pay such fees and expenses, the animal control officer is empowered and authorized to kill such dog and charge the expense of execution and disposal, to the owner or keeper.
Comment Text (parent not a footnote)(Ord. of 3-9-67, § 5)
Sec. 3-38. - Seizure of nuisance dogs.#
The animal control officer is authorized to seize any dog which is causing a nuisance while off the premises of its owner. After seizing such dog the animal control officer shall notify the owner or keeper of such dog, if such owner or keeper is known to the animal control officer, and the officer shall surrender such dog to its owner or keeper upon payment for the cost of picking up such dog and the cost of impoundment. If five (5) days after notified the owner or keeper does not reclaim such dog and pay such fees and expenses, the animal control officer is empowered and authorized to kill such dog and charge the expense of execution and disposal, to the owner or keeper.
Comment Text (parent not a footnote)(Ord. of 3-9-67, § 6)
Sec. 3-39. - Penalty for violation of sections 3-35 through 3-38.#
Any person violating the provisions of sections 3-35 through 3-38 shall be punished in accordance with section 1-4.
Comment Text (parent not a footnote)(Ord. of 3-9-67, § 7)
Sec. 3-40. - Late licensing fee.#
(a)
This section is to supplement chapter 196 of Public Laws 1970 (amending General Laws section 4-13) in that such statute neglects to provide for the licensing of dogs which are required to be licensed during the month of April of any year but are not so licensed.
(b)
Every person owning or keeping a dog which by statute is required to be licensed during the month of April of any year but is not so licensed may have such dog licensed during any subsequent month upon paying to the town clerk seven dollars ($7.00); otherwise the town clerk shall not issue a license for such dog.
Comment Text (parent not a footnote)(Ord. of 2-11-71, § 2)