Section 6 - Impounding, Release and Disposition of Animals

Animal Control By-Law
  1. Animal Control Officers or, in their absence, police officers may cause an animal to be impounded for any of the following causes:
    1. If found without a license when a license is required; or
    2. If found unrestrained as set forth in Section 2 of this by-law; or
    3. For violation of a muzzling order as provided for in Section 5 of this by-law; or as provided under MGL Chapter 140 Section 167, as amended; or
    4. For having bitten, injured or physically molested any person; or
    5. For having physically injured any dog or other animal; or
    6. To restore peace when the owner of keeper of an animal is otherwise unavailable, unwilling, or physically unable to restrain his/her animal from causing a nuisance by continuous barking or howling; or
    7. To ensure the safety and well being of the particular animal; or
    8. For any violation of this by-law.
  2. No later than two (2) days after the impounding of any animal, the owner or keeper shall be notified, or if the owner or keeper of the animal is unknown, or, after reasonable efforts, is not contacted, written notice shall then be posted for ten (10) consecutive days in the location for posting notices in the Town Hall, which notice shall describe the animal and its place and time of taking. Animals impounded and unclaimed by the owner or keeper after such ten day period shall be disposed of in accordance with the provisions of MGL Chapter 140, Section 151A. Prior to the end of said ten day period, the owner or keeper may obtain the release of such dog or other animal upon payment of all pound fees, fines, and notification costs, if any, and in the case of a violation of A (1) of this section, upon obtaining a license as required by law.
  3.  No animal shall be turned over or sold in any manner inconsistent with MGL Chapter 140 Section 151 or disposed of inconsistent with the provisions of Section 151A.