TOWN OF BRADLEY

DOG ORDINANCE

Approved by the Bradley Town Council at a duly called meeting on __________

_______________________ A True Copy Attest:

Sally Strout, Chairperson

_______________________ ___________________________

Oscar Emerson Melissa L. Doane, Bradley Town Clerk

_______________________

Audrey Wilcox

_______________________

Lillian Coulter

_______________________

J. Frederick Gifford

Town of Bradley

Town Dog Ordinance

THE TOWN OF BRADLEY HEREBY ORDAINS that the following ordinance shall be adopted:

Section 1. Definitions:

As used in this ordinance, unless the context otherwise indicates:

A. DOG- shall be intended to mean both male and female dogs.

B. OWNER- shall be intended to mean any person or persons, firm, association or corporation owning keeping, harboring or in possession of or having the control of a dog, the parent or parents or guardian of a minor who owns, keeps or has in possession a dog.

C. AT LARGE- shall be intended to mean off the premises of the owner and not under the control of any person by means of personal presence and attention as will reasonably control the conduct of such dog either by leash, cord, chain or “at heel’, or under commend.

D. ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICER- the Town Manager shall appoint an animal control officer for the purpose of enforcement of the provisions of this ordinance and the performance of the duties and responsibilities conferred upon animal control officers under Maine State statue. The animal control officer shall be authorized to issue compliance orders and court summons as required by this ordinance and Maine State statue.

Section 2. Running at Large

A. No owner shall cause or permit any dog to run at large with the Town of Bradley. A dog, while in or on any public way or place shall be under restraint of a leash of not more than eight feet in length.

B. Nothing in this section shall require the leashing of any dog while it is on the property of its owner.

Section 3. Barking or Howling Dogs

No owner shall keep or harbor any dog within the Town of Bradley which by frequent and habitual barking, howling or yelping, creates unreasonably loud and disturbing noises of such a character, intensity and duration as to disturb the peace, quite and good order of the Town.

Section 4. Removal and Disposal of Dog Excrement

A. It shall be a violation of this section for any owner to fail to immediately remove and dispose of any feces left cast or deposited by the dog upon the premises of any public way or place or upon the property of others.

B. This section shall not apply to a dog accompanying any handicapped person who, by reason of his/her handicap, is physically unable to comply with the requirements of this section.

Section 5. License

A suitable tag showing the year the dog license was issued in accordance with the State of Maine statutes and bearing such other data as the commissioner of agriculture may prescribe shall be securely attached to a collar which must be worn at all times by the dog for which the license was issued. It shall be unlawful for any person to remove such tag or to place either a collar or tag on any dog not described or for which the license was not issued.

Section 6. Fees

Any owner of a dog that has been transported by the Animal Control officer will be charged a $20.00 fee plus any mileage expenses, boarding and medical expenses for the care of the dog. Failure to pay such a fee within 30 days of the billing date is a violation of this ordinance.

Section 7. Penalty

Upon a signed and sworn written complaint by any person, a duly qualified law enforcement official, animal control officer or person acting in that capacity for the Town of Bradley may investigate and may give written notice to the owner that they have been found in violation of this Ordinance. The written notice shall be made part of the complaint. Upon continuance of such violation, the owner found in violation of this ordinance by a court shall be subject to fine of not less than Fifty Dollars ($50.00) nor more than Two Hundred Dollars ($200.00), and shall also be liable to reimburse the Town and its officials for all costs incurred by the Town and its officials in connection with this violation, including but not limited to compensation for the animal control officer at the rate paid by the Town of Bradley, mileage expenses, the actual cost of boarding the dog in question, and reasonable attorney’s fees. In no event will the fine assessed by the court be less than expenses incurred by the Town of Bradley in process of violation of this ordinance unless different penalties are provided for in Maine State statute.