Section 3 - License Requirements Fees, Exceptions

Animal Control By-Law
  1. Any owner or keeper of a dog six (6) months of age or older in the Town of West Stockbridge shall cause that dog to be licensed as required by Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 140 commencing on April 1st of each year.
  2. Any owner or keeper of more than three (3) dogs must acquire a multiple pet permit.
  3. Commercial Kennels must be fully licensed pursuant to provisions of MGL Chapter 140 and subject to West Stockbridge Zoning By-laws.
  4. Commercial Kennels shall be available to inspection by the Animal Control Officer, a Natural Resource Officer, Fish and Game Warden, a police officer or the Board of Health.
  5. All dogs and cats six (6) months of age or older must be currently vaccinated against rabies as per MGL Chapter 140 Section 145B.
  6. The annual fee for every animal license, multiple pet permit, and commercial kennel license and all fines relevant to animal control shall be established by the Board of Selectmen. No fee shall be charged for a license for a dog specifically trained to lead or serve a blind or deaf person provided that the Division of Blind or Deaf certifies that such dog is so trained and actually in the service of a blind or deaf person.
  7. The registering, numbering, describing and licensing of animals shall be performed in the office of the Town Clerk on a form prescribed and supplied by the town and shall be subject to the condition expressed therein that the dog so licensed shall be controlled and restrained from killing chasing or harassing livestock or fowls.
  8. No license fee shall be refunded in whole or part for any reason.
  9. Should any owner or keeper of an animal fail to license that animal as required under MGL Chapter 140 before June 1st, the owner or keeper shall pay a late fee as established by the Board of Selectmen before obtaining said license, except a dog brought into the Town as provided by MGL Chapter 140 Section 138. This late fee shall be applicable from the 61st day after arrival of such dog. Any person maintaining a Commercial Kennel in the Town of West Stockbridge who fails to license as prescribed by this section and the laws of the Commonwealth shall pay a late fee as established by the Board of Selectmen commencing June 1.
  10. The owner or Keeper of a licensed animal shall cause it to wear around its neck or body a collar or harness to which shall be securely attached a tag issued by the Town Clerk at the time of licensing.
  11. In addition to all other sums due and owing for any license fee hereunder, a person who applies for a license hereunder shall be obligated to pay all prior amounts of license fees determined to be due and owing by the Town Clerk pursuant to this by-law, for past periods in which said person was obligated to obtain license. It shall be a violation of the By- Law to fail to pay any said sum due hereunder: this remedy shall be cumulative.