Definition: The presence of any dog on any property, public or private, not owned by such dog's owner, unless such dog is held in control by a leash or other adequate means of physical control by a person sufficiently strong to hold such dog in control at all times.
(1) It shall be unlawful for any dog(s) to be running at large within the town.
(2) It shall be unlawful for any person to own, keep or have within the town a dog that creates a public nuisance by prolonged and habitual barking or whining, causing serious annoyance to neighboring residents and interfering with the reasonable use and enjoyment of the public streets, sidewalks, or public areas, or habitually turning over garbage receptacles, habitually killing other animals, habitually attacking or attempting to attack persons or habitually performing other acts.
(3) It shall be unlawful for any dog owner to permit any dog four months old to appear or be on any street, park, or public place therein, unless the dog is wearing a collar or harness to which is attached a current rabies vaccination tag, which has been issued for such dog.
Keeping and Penning: No more than four dogs, over six months old, shall be kept on any residential or commerical parcel of land in the town. No dog pen or enclosure shall be within 30 feet of the dwelling house of any person other than the dog's owner, unless by permission of such neighbor in writing. No pen shall be built for the purpose of maintaining more than four dogs within 500 feet of the city limits.
Disposition of Fierce, Dangerous or Vicious Dogs: If any dog, fierce, dangerous, or vicious, or having vicious propensities, or any female dog in heat is found running at large in any public place in the town, or own any private property without the permission of the owner or occupant of said private property, and such dog cannot be safely taken up and impounded, such dog may be slain by any law enforcement official of the town or the county or the state.
Owner Liable for Damages Caused by Dog: A dog owner who allows his dog to run at large in any public place in the town or on any private property without the permission of the owner or occupant of said private property shall be liable in damages to any person injured by such dog and to any person suffering loss to his real or personal property, including animals, livestock and fowl, caused by such dog.
Penalty: Any person who violates any provision of this chapter for which no other penalty is provided shall pay a civil penalty in accordance with the following schedule:
First Offense: Warning, no fine
Second Offense: $25 fine
Third Offense: $50 fine
Such civil penalty shall be paid within 30 days of the issuance of the citation. If this penalty is not paid within 30 days, the town may institute a civil action to recover such penalty.
