Dog Bylaw

Dogs: as of 5/5/21

ARTICLE 12: To see if the Town will vote to amend the following Town Bylaw (“Dogs”) in order to make it more consistent with Massachusetts General Law by changing the existing text of bylaw and by adding a section (the new language is indicated in bold and deleted language is indicated by “strikethroughs”):

All dogs owned or kept within the limit of the Town shall be restrained from running at large or shall be kept within the immediate control of their owners and keepers. The Dog Officer (Animal Control Officer) may apprehend all dogs which are not so restrained and controlled and may prosecute all violations of this by-law as provided in Chapter 140 Section 173A Massachusetts General Laws. Upon apprehension of any dog found in violation of this by-law, the Dog Officer (Animal Control Officer) may impound such dog, and shall make a record upon which shall be recorded the breed, color, and sex of said dog and whether or not it is licensed. If licensed, he shall enter the name and address of the owner, and the number of the license tag. The owner, if known, shall be notified as soon as possible that the dog has been impounded. The owner of any dog so impounded may reclaim such dog upon payment of the license fee, if unpaid, and all costs and charges incurred by the Town for apprehending, impounding and maintenance of said dog. (The Animal Control Officer (ACO) is any person(s) appointed under M.G.L. c.140, Section 151 who is designated by the Board of Selectmen to enforce this bylaw and M.G.L. c. 140, Section 136A to 174F. Animal Control Officers shall be nominated under M.G.L. c. 129, Section 15 for the purpose of rabies quarantine.) (RECOMMENDED 5-0)

PASSED UNANIMOUSLY

APPROVED BY THE AG MAY 5, 2021

Tara J. Whiting-Wells

Town Clerk