Definitions:
At Large: A dog or cat shall be deemed to be running at large when off or away from the premises and not under the control of the owner, possessor, keeper, agent or a member of the family by means of a leash (6 feet long maximum?) or portable kennel or carrier.
Tether: (n) Any rope, cable, chain, or similar device used to restrain an animal to a specific area. (v) The "act" of tethering or tying an animal to a device to restrict its' movement.
3.0105: DOG KENNELS: ANIMALS DISTURBING THE PUBLIC.
(a) It shall be unlawful for any person to keep a dog or dogs in a dog kennel nearer the house of a neighbor than fifty (50) feet. Such kennel shall be kept in a clean and sanitary condition, and not permitted to become stagnant, noxious or a nuisance. The Animal Control Officer or Police Department shall cause a written notice to clean such kennel within twentyfour (24) hours to be served when necessary.
(b) It shall be unlawful to keep within the limits of this city any animal, including a cat, which causes a disturbance by barking or by being a nuisance to the annoyance or disturbance of the public. (E2592; E4201)
(c) It shall be unlawful to tether any animal (Dog?) upon any lot within the City for a period longer than one (1) hour. (Humane Society Exclusion?)
(d) It shall be unlawful to leave an animal unattended in any vehicle for a period longer than one (1) hour, or for any period of time that may cause environmental stress to the animal. (Remove This Paragraph)
3.0313: ALTERNATIVE TO IMPOUNDING.
Each violation of each section is a separate violation of this ordinance and is a separate misdemeanor in this ordinance. As an alternative to impounding the dog or cat in the pet shelter, if said dog or cat cannot be captured and the owner is known to the Animal Control Officer, then in that case the said Animal Control Officer may issue a notice to the owner that the dog or cat is in violation of this Chapter which said notice shall state the violation date, time, location, breed and color of the dog or cat, license number if known and the name and address of the owner of said dog or cat and which said notice shall direct the owner of said dog or cat to appear before the Magistrate Court to answer to the charge of such violation. (E2592) (E6002)
Animals deemed to be feral, a danger or nuisance to the public, or beyond saving using reasonable means, need not be held for the impoundment period, and may be destroyed using any humane means.
Below are the new ordinances being worked on by the City Animal Control Board. There will undoubtedly be changes, additions, deletions, etc. as the bugs are worked out; so check back again!
The reasons for these ordinances are varied, but in a nutshell, we are trying to make Watertown a safer community for our citizens AND our pets; while still maintaining Watertown's status as a pet friendly community.
Because of the drastic increase in the number of incidents involving inadequately controlled pets and people, as well as pets and other pets; we are working on new ordinances to decrease the number of incidents.
We'd like to hear your thoughts, questions, and concerns, too!
