(A) The owner or custodian of a dog is responsible for the acts and conduct of the dog at all times when the dog is in the park. All dogs in or upon the premises of the park must be currently licensed and shall wear a collar and license tag.
(B) The owner or custodian of a dog must restrain and control the dog at all times when in the park by securing it with a leash of not more than six feet in length, except:
(1) While the dog is actually participating in a dog show, exhibition or obedience class, which has been authorized or approved by the town by the issuance of a written permit; or
(2) When the dog is in an enclosed area in the park, which has been designated by the town as a dog exercise area.
(C) LEASH, as used in this chapter, means a chain, rope or strap, made of leather, fabric or other material, that is: not more than six feet in length; capable of being fastened to a collar or harness of a dog and used to lead, restrain and control the dog; and of sufficient strength for those purposes.
(D) At all times when a dog is off leash and participating in a dog show, exhibition or obedience class, as provided in division (B)(1) above:
(1) The dog must be accompanied by and under the control of its owner, trainer or handler, as applicable, who must at all such times have a leash in his or her possession; and
(2) The owner, trainer, handler or the authorized representative of a club or organization to whom a permit has been issued shall have the permit on their person at all times and shall present the permit for inspection, upon request, to any police officer, Town Animal Control Officer, authorized member of the town staff or a County Animal Control Officer.
(E) At all times when a dog is off leash in a designated dog exercise area, as provided in division (B)(2) above, the dog must be accompanied by and under the control of its owner or custodian. The owner or custodian must at all such times have a leash in his or her possession.
(F) The owner or person in custody of a dog shall immediately pick up all dog droppings and deposit them in a park trash receptacle or remove them from the park.
(G) This section shall not apply to dogs assigned to or assisting a law enforcement agency, or to dogs whose purpose is to aid handicapped persons.
(H) A violation of any of the provisions of this section shall be punishable as Class 3 misdemeanors are punishable under state law.
(Ord. 02-2002, passed 8-8-2002; Ord. 01-2017, passed 4-13-2017) Penalty, see § 10.99