Animal Control Ordinance
TOWN OF SHEFFIELD
ANIMAL CONTROL ORDINANCE
PREAMBLE: The Selectmen of the Town of Sheffield, being mindful of the fact that there are numerous dogs running at large in the Town and that these dogs represent not only a danger to young children, but also are a source of annoyance and concern to many citizens, hereby declare that it is'in the best interest of the health and safety of all citizens that the keeping of the dogs within the Town limits be controlled as hereinafter set forth.
WHEREFORE: The Town of Sheffield, pursuant to Title 20 V.S.A. section 3549 hereby ordains:
- Definitions:
As used in this ordinance the following words or phrases have the following meaning:
"Dog" shall mean both male and female.
"Owner" shall mean any person owning, keeping or harboring
a dog. The head of household having a dog in its possession, shall be presumed to be the owner of such dog.
"Running at large" shall include any activity of a dog when such dog is (1) off the premises of the owner, and (2) not under control of the owner or another person either by leash, cord, chain or other similar means of restraint.
"Vicious dog" shall mean any dog which bites or snaps at any person in an attempt to bite any person.
"Town Pound" shall mean a pound designated by the Selectmen, whether or not operated by the Town and whether or not within the Town limits.
"Officer" shall mean any Constable, State Police Officer, Deputy Sheriff, or any other person appointed "Dog Officer" by the Selectmen.
2. Licenses Required
The owner of any dog whose dog is kept within the Town and is more than six months old shall cause it to be
registered, numbered, described and licensed in accordance with the provisions of Title 20, Chapter 193 of the Vermont Statutes Annotated, as the same are now in effect or may be amended from time to time. No person shall refuse to exhibit the license of his dog or a receipt therefor to any officer when requested to do so.
3.Collar Required
An owner or person otherwise in control of a dog within the Town limits shall be responsible to insure that whenever such dog may be off the premises of the owner a collar or harness is fastened securely on such dog and that there is attached to the same the license tag issued by the Town. It shall be unlawful for any person other than the owner or agent or any officer to remove a license tag from a dog.
4.Failure to License
A person who keeps a dog contrary to the license and collar provisions of this ordinance shall be guilty of a misdemeanor. All unlicensed dogs found within the limits of the Town shall be impounded.
5. Running at Large Prohibited
It shall be unlawful for any owner or person controlling a dog to permit the dog to run or be at large within the town.
6. It shall be unlawful for any owner or person having control of a dog to permit it to disturb the quiet of any other person by persistent barking or howling.
7. Impounding of Dogs
A. It shall be the duty of any officer to apprehend any dog unlicensed or running at large and to impound such dog in the Town Pound.
B. Upon the impounding of any dog the officer shall make a record of the breed, color, and sex of such dog, where the dog was caught and whether it was licensed. The record of the impounding officer shall be filed at the Town Clerk's office.
C. The impounding officer shall within'twenty-four (24) hours give notice to the owner or person having care of such dog, either personally or by written notice left at his dwelling-house of the impoundment of such dog. Such notice shall require that the owner of person having control of such dog to appear within forty-eight (48) hours, post an advertisement in the Town Clerk's office and at least one other public
place in the Town, which notice shall describe the dog, state when and where the dog was impounded, and declare that unless the owner or person entitled to possession of the dog shall claim the same and pay all charges as here-inbelow set forth within seven days after the posting of such notice, the dog officer shall sell the dog, give the dog away or dispose of it in a humane manner.
D. Any person finding a dog upon his property to his injury or annoyance may either remove the same to the Town Pound
or hold the same in his possession, giving immediate notice to the Town Clerk and dog officer that he is holding such dog, and giving description of the dog as well as the name of the owner if known.
8. Redemption of Impounded Dogs
The owner of an impounded dog, or his agent carrying written authorization, may reclaim such dog upon payment of the fees and charges hereinbelow set forth. It shall be the duty of the
dog officer to collect all fees and charges before releasing an impounded dog.
Boarding Charge: $3.00 per day or any part thereof Impounding fee:
A. First Offense: $10.00
B. Second Offense: 25.00
C. Subsequent Offenses: 50.00
All of the above notwithstanding, if any impounded dog is un-licensed, in addition to the fees and charges hereinabove set forth, the dog officer shall not release any impounded dog until a license has been obtained as required by paragraph two of this ordinance.
9. Vicious Dogs
Upon written or oral complaint of any person the Selectmen shall determine whether or not a particular dog complained
of is a vicious dog as hereinabove defined. In the event that the Selectmen determine any dog to be vicious that dog shall be muzzled at all times with a muzzle of sufficient strength to prevent the dog from biting any person. Any dog which
has been declared vicious by a Selectmen of the town and which is subsequently found unmuzzled and running at large shall be seized and killed without notice to the owner. If any dangerous or rabid dog is found running at large and cannot be safely caught or identified, such dog may be slain by any officer.
It shall be unlawful for the owner or person having custody of any dog after receipt of notice by an officer that the dog
has bitten any person to sell or give away such dog, or permit
it to be taken beyond the limits of the town without having first obtained permission of the Selectmen.
10. Prohibition Against Dogs in Town Cemeteries
No owner or person in control of any dog shall allow the same to enter any cemetery located within the town, whether or not such dog may be on a leash or under other restraint or control.
11. Cruelty to Dogs
No owner shall fail to provide his dog or dogs with necessary sustenance or shelter. No person shall torture, cruelly beat, or otherwise torment any dog. No person shall poison any dog or distribute poison in any manner whatsoever with the intent or for the purpose of poisoning any dog or dogs. Any person violating any of the above provisions of this ordinance shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.
12. Penalty
A person who violates any of the provisions cited in this ordinance may be fined not more than $50.00 together with the costs of prosecution. In the event of a continuing violation, each day and each animal involved shall consti-tute a separate offense.
13. Separability
If any section, subsection, sentence, clause, phrase or portion of this ordinance is for any reason held invalid or unconsti-tutional by any court of competent jurisdiction, such portion shall be deemed a separate, distinct and independent provision and such holding shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions hereof.
14. Ordinance Repealed
All ordinances and parts of ordinances in conflict with the provision of this ordinance are hereby repealed.
15. Pit Bulls & Dogs with Wolf Breeding
All Pit Bulls and dogs with wolf breeding shall be confined in a wire mesh fence at least five feet high to prevent a child to come in contact with said dog or dogs.
Selectmen,
Town of Sheffield
Date May 7, 1992
