Weathersfield
Dog Ordinance
Licensing
It is the responsibility of every person owning, keeping,
or harboring any dog or wolf hybrid more than six (6) months old within
the Town of Weathersfield to register the dog with the Town Clerk on
or before April 1st of every year [according to Vermont Statutes].
The dog must wear a collar with the tag issued by the Town affixed to
it.
Vaccination
Domestic pets must be inoculated
with a rabies vaccine approved by the Commissioner of Agriculture, Food,
and Markets. Vaccines or boosters must be used for cats and dogs.
Two (2) one (1) year vaccines are available for ferrets. Wolf
hybrids must be inoculated with rabies vaccines approved for dogs, in
the same manner labeled for dogs.
Under Restraint
It is the responsibility of the owner to keep any dog or wolf hybrid leashed,
or under restraint, when on any public property or private lands other
than those of the owner.
"Under Restraint" means:
1) on a leash
not longer than eight (8) feet;
2) within a vehicle
or travel cage;
3) on the property
of its owner or keeper; or
4) hunting with
its owner or keeper.
Dogs at Large
No owner or keeper shall permit a dog or wolf hybrid to run at large in
a street, road, park, of common, nor shall the owner or keeper allow his/her
dog to run at large on other people's property, namely lawns, gardens,
yards, school grounds, parking areas, or other land used or occupied by
other persons, without the permission of the owner of the land.
"At Large" means:
1) to move at
will without restraint, control, or limitation to property
lines; or
2) to move at
will without physical or vocal control by owner or keeper.
Disturbance of the Peace and Quietude
It shall be unlawful for any owner to permit or allow his/her dog or wolf
hybrid to habitually howl, bark, or in any way disturb the peace and quietude
of the community.
Nuisance Dog or Wolf Hybrid
It is unlawful to keep a nuisance dog or wolf hybrid which does any of
the following:
1) molests and/or attacks passers-by or passing
vehicles;
2) attacks other animal;
3) trespasses on school grounds;
4) is repeatedly at large;
5) damages private or public property; or
6) is unlicensed.
Vicious Dog or Wolf Hybrid
The owner shall confine within a building or secure enclosure every fierce,
dangerous, or vicious dog or wolf hybrid, and not take such animal out
of such building or enclosure unless such dog is securely muzzled and
leashed.
Un-spayed Females in Heat
The owner shall confine within a building or secure enclosure every unsprayed
female dog or wolf hybrid in heat, so that such animal cannot come in
contact with another dog or wolf hybrid except for intentional breeding.
Penalties Penalties
for violations of this ordinance involving a licensed dog are:
1st
Offense - $35.00
2nd
Offense - $50.00
3rd
Offense - Impoundment and impoundment cost plus $100.00
Subsequent Offense: Impoundment and impoundment cost plus $100.00
Penalties for violations involving an unlicensed animal are:
1st
Offense - $50.00
2nd
Offense - Impoundment and impoundment cost plus $75.00
3rd
Offense - Impoundment and impoundment cost plus $150.00
Subsequent Offense - Impoundment and impoundment cost plus $150.00
The above fines include the expense
of impounding, if any, and other lawful charges. All charges must
be paid before the animal is released from the pound.
The full text of the Dog Ordinance is available online as a
PDF (Acrobat Reader Required) or at the Town Clerk's office.
We list our strays for adoption on Petfinder.com.
