Chapter 118: ANIMALS

[HISTORY: Adopted by the Representative Town Meeting of the Town of Branford as indicated in article histories. Amendments noted where applicable.]

GENERAL REFERENCES
Parks and recreation areas —  See Ch. 190, Art. I.

ARTICLE I Dogs [Adopted 2-8-1984; amended in its entirety 3-9-2005]

§ 118-1. Licensing of dogs six months or older by new owners; fees.

Any person, upon becoming the owner or keeper of any dog of the age of six months or older, shall cause such dog to be licensed within 30 days thereof, until the 30th day of the ensuing June, in the manner and subject to the terms and conditions provided in C.O.S. § 22-338. If the new owner has written proof of purchase or transfer and the license is obtained within 30 days, he shall not be required to pay any penalties as provided by said section for failure to secure a license for a dog over six months of age. Any person becoming the owner of a licensed dog shall present the license and tag of such dog to the Branford Town Clerk and, for a fee of $1, the Town Clerk shall issue, in lieu thereof, a new license and tag, which shall be recorded in the name of the new owner.

§ 118-1.1. Dogs roaming at large restricted.

No owner or keeper of any dog shall allow such dog to roam at large upon the land of another and not under control of the owner or keeper or the agent of the owner or keeper, nor allow such dog to roam at large on any portion of any public highway and not attended or under control of such owner or keeper or his agent, provided nothing in this section shall be construed to limit or prohibit the use of hunting dogs during the open hunting or training season. The unauthorized presence of any dog on the land of any person other than the owner or keeper of such dog or on any portion of a public highway when such dog is not attended by or under the control of such owner or keeper shall be prima facie evidence of a violation of the provisions of this section. Violation of any provision of this section shall be an infraction.

§ 118-1.2. Nuisances prohibited.

No person shall own or harbor a dog or dogs which is or are a nuisance by reason of vicious disposition or excessive barking or other disturbance, or, by such barking or other disturbance, is or are a source of annoyance to any sick person residing in the immediate vicinity. Violation of any provision of this section shall be an infraction.

§ 118-1.3. Redeeming impounded dog.

Any dog captured or impounded under the provisions of this ordinance shall be redeemed by the owner or keeper thereof; or the agent of such owner or keeper, upon proper identification, and presentation to the municipal animal control officer of a license and tag for such dog, and upon the payment by such owner or keeper or his agent of the redemption fee established by the Town of Branford, which shall not exceed $15, and the cost of advertising incurred under the provisions of C.O.G. § 22-332; provided no dog seized for doing damage under the provisions of C.G.S. § 22-355 shall be released, except upon written order of the Municipal Animal Control Officer. When the owner or keeper of any such impounded dog fails to redeem such dog within twenty-four hours after receiving notification to do so, or, where the owner was unknown, within twenty-four hours after notification was effected by means of publication in a newspaper, such owner or keeper shall pay, in addition to such redemption fee and the cost of advertising, the amount determined by the Municipal Animal Control Officer to be the full cost of detention and care of such impounded dog. In addition, any owner or keeper of any such impounded dog who fails to redeem such dog within one hundred and twenty hours after receiving notification to do so shall have committed an infraction.

§ 118-2. Presence on beaches.

No dog, leashed or unleashed, shall be allowed on public or association-owned beaches in the Town, unless such dog is assisting the handicapped. The dog assisting said handicapped person must be leashed or on proper restraints.

§ 118-3. Penalties for offenses.

A violation of this article will result in a fine of $50 for the first offense; a second offense will result in a fine of $75; third and subsequent offenses will result in a fine of $100. All penalties shall be paid to the Town of Branford for deposit in a fund established to benefit the "Daniel Cosgrove Animal Shelter.