(A) Any dog or cat found running at large may be impounded by the town in an animal shelter and confined in a humane manner. Immediately upon impounding a dog or cat, the town shall make every reasonable effort to notify the owner and inform such owner of the conditions whereby custody of the animal may be regained. Dogs and cats not claimed by their owners within a period of three full days in which the shelter is open to the public shall become the property of the town.
(B) When a dog or cat is found running at large and its ownership is verified by the town, the town may exercise the option of serving the owner with a notice of violation in lieu of impounding the animal.
(C) (1) In the event that the town finds dogs or cats to be suffering, it shall have the right forthwith to remove or cause to have removed any such animals to a safe place for care at the owner’s expense or to euthanize them when necessary to prevent further suffering.
(2) Return to the owner may be withheld until the owner shall have made full payment for all expenses so incurred.
(D) Disposal of an animal by any method specified herein does not relieve the owner of liability for violations and any accrued charges.
(E) Instructions for a home quarantine (location of quarantine is at the discretion of the town) are as follows.
(1) (a) The facility used for confinement shall ensure an escape-proof environment subject to unannounced periodic spot checks by the animal control officer or local Director of Health. The animal shall be confined inside a structure, not on a chain or in a fenced yard.
(b) Diagrams for the construction of cat and dog isolation cages are available if such is recommended by the animal control officer or local Director of Health.
(2) The animal shall not leave the quarantine premises for any reason. The animal shall not have contact with humans or animals for the ten-day period, with the exception of the primary caretaker.
(3) At the first sign of illness of the animal, the owner shall notify the town. Symptoms to watch for include fever, loss of appetite, excessive irritability, unusual vocalization, change in behavior, restlessness, jumping at noises, trouble walking, excessive salivation, tremors, convulsions, paralysis, stupors or unprovoked aggression.
(4) At the end of the ten-day quarantine period, the owner is responsible for contacting the town to report on the health status of the animal.
(5) If at any time during the quarantine these guidelines cannot be met or are violated, the animal will be picked up and the ten-day quarantine will be completed at the Department of Animal Control’s shelter or a facility designated by the local Director of Health.
(6) When a pet has been exposed to rabies and it is unvaccinated, euthanasia is recommended. Alternatively, the owner has the option of arranging for a six-month quarantine at owner’s expense. This is due to the special public health risks associated with these animals (i.e., those potentially incubating rabies) and the need to prevent human and other animal exposures from occurring should rabies symptoms develop.
(Ord. 1, 2009, passed 5-5-2009)