Section 10 - Liability of Owner

Animal Control By-Law
  1. The owner or keeper of a dog that has done damage to livestock or fowl shall be liable for such damage, and the Selectmen may order the owner or keeper to pay such damages after an investigation as set forth in MGL Chapter 140.
  2. In the event that the owner or keeper of such dog known to have done damage to livestock or fowl refuses to pay upon order of the Selectmen, the Selectmen shall enter or cause to be entered a complaint in the District Court for the enforcement of the order.
  3. In addition, the Board of Selectmen or their agents thereto authorized in writing, may, after written notice to the owner or keeper of any dog known to them to have killed livestock or fowls and then and there kill such dog, unless such owner or keeper whose premises are thus entered for said purpose shall give a bond in the sum of two hundred dollars ($200.00), with sufficient sureties approved by the Board of Selectmen, conditioned that the dog is continually restrained. If the owner or keeper of the dog declares his intention to give such a bond, said Selectmen or their agents shall allow him seven (7) days, exclusive of Sundays and holidays, in which to procure and prepare the same and to present it to them, or file it with the Town Clerk.
  4. If a dog which has previously been ordered restrained by the Selectmen, or upon review by the District Court, wounds any person or shall maim or kill any livestock or fowl the owner or keeper of such dog will be liable to the person injured thereby in treble the amount of damages sustained by him.
  5. The owner or keeper of any animal injured or killed by a motor vehicle shall be responsible for the cost of all rescue response, emergency care, treatment and/or disposal of said animal.