Chapter 6.40 ADMINISTRATION AND ENFORCEMENT

All impounding of animals as provided for in this chapter shall be done by the police department or authorized agent of the town. Animals shall be impounded in that pound authorized by the town.

It shall be unlawful for any person to interfere with, hinder, delay or impede any officer in the enforcement of the provisions of this title as herein provided.

The animal control officer or any other law enforcement officer may, in fresh pursuit, pursue any sick, dangerous or vicious animal running at large onto private property in an attempt to take up and impound said animal.

Upon any dog, cat or other animal being impounded under the provisions of this chapter, the impounding authority shall immediately notify the owner, if the owner is known, of the impounding of such dog, cat or other animal, and the terms upon which the animal can be redeemed; if the owner of the dog, cat or other animal so impounded is unknown, then the impounding authority should make all reasonable effort to locate and notify the owner of the impounding of the animal.

Any person owning, keeping or having control of any animal which has been impounded may redeem the same within three working days by paying any unpaid license fee for such animal and paying the town the impounding fee which presently is the sum of $15.00 per cat and $25.00 per dog or other animal. If such animal is not redeemed by the owner within three working days, then it may be redeemed by any individual who complies with the above provisions, and in case such animal is not redeemed, it may be humanely destroyed or otherwise disposed of within the discretion of the impounding authorities. In addition to the fee, the redeemer may pay the sum of $5.00 per day for each day the animal is held, as a boarding charge for caring for or keeping such animal. In addition to the above fees, the person redeeming the animal must post with the clerk of the court the scheduled bail as set by the court for the offense. The owner of any animal euthanized by the town shall be responsible for the cost incurred by the town to destroy the animal.

Any dog, cat or other animal suffering from serious injury or disease may be euthanized by the impounding authority; provided, that the impounding authority shall immediately notify the owner, if the owner is known, and if the owner be unknown, make reasonable efforts to locate and notify the owner.

Application for kennel licenses shall be made to the town clerk and shall be approved by the chief of police prior to issue. Each license application shall reflect the types of animals and the estimated maximum number of animals which shall be kept at the kennel, and shall state the name, address and telephone number of a responsible person or person who will have access to the animals and can be reached in an emergency. Each application shall be accompanied by a license fee as set forth by resolution. Licenses shall expire December 31st of the year in which issued, and shall be renewed upon payment of the license fee for the new annual period. Upon receiving a license, the kennel operator shall purchase a metal license tag for each dog or cat which will be kept in the kennel. It shall be unlawful to allow dogs in kennels to run at large unless such tags are attached to their collar/harness. Following inspection, the application for a kennel license shall be granted or denied. Any interested person may appeal the decision to grant or deny a license to the town council by filing a written notice of appeal within 10 days of the date of written notice of the decision. Following a hearing, the council shall affirm or reverse the decision, or shall remand the matter with instructions to conduct further inspections. Every license shall state on its face the owner and operator of the kennel, the kennel address, and the maximum number of animals which can be kept in the kennel at any one time. This number shall be determined by the inspector or agent who inspected the premises, and can be modified by the inspector or agent from time to time if kennel conditions or facilities change. No license shall be transferred from one licensee to another, nor shall the location of any kennel be changed, without prior permission of the police department or authorized agent. Such change or transfer shall be granted only after appropriate inspections have been conducted.

Following a hearing, of which the licensee shall have been given not less than 10 days' notice, and at which he may appear and present evidence, the town council may temporarily suspend or permanently revoke a kennel license for failure to meet any of the required standards of operation.

The owner or keeper of an animal shall be liable to the person injured or property owner injured by such dog arising as a result of the action of the animal and shall pay medical expenses as well as other costs, damages, fees and assessments as are allowed by law.