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Local Law No. 1
of the year 20 C'
local law
entitled"Lic-ensing, Identification nd on r F ofDogsln the Toy n of Grototi
Be it en -acted 1)y the Town. Board
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❑C o inty ❑City OTown ❑ 'illage
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as follows:
Section 1. Title. The title of this Local Law shall be, "Licensing, Identification, and Control of
Dogs in the Town of Groton."
Section 2. Authority. This Local Law is adopted pursuant to Article 7 of the Agriculture and
Markets Law of the State of New York.
Section 3. Purpose. The purpose of this Local Law is to provide for the licensing and
identification of dogs, the control and protection of the dog population and the protection
of persons, property, and other animals from dog attack and damage.
Section 4. Application.
1. This Local Law shall apply to all areas of the Town of Groton, including the Village of
Groton
2. In the event that any dog owned by a non-resident of the Town of Groton is harbored
within the Town for a period of 30 days or less such dog shall be exempt from the
identification and licensing provisions of this Local Law provided such dog is licensed
pursuant to the provisions of law in the area of residence.
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3. This Local Law shall not apply to any dog confined to the premises of any public or
private hospital devoted solely to the treatment of sick animals, or confined to an
animal shelter devoted to the impounding and caring of animals.
Section 5. Definitions. As used in this Local Law, the following words shall mean:
1. "Altered" shall refer to a dog that has been spayed or neutered.
2. ''At large" means an unleashed dog not under control of the owner and off the
premises of the owner
3. "Companion animal" means any dog or cat, and shall also mean any other
domesticated animal normally maintained in or near the household of the owner or
person who cares for such other domesticated animal. "Companion animal" shall not
include a''domestic animal" as defined in this Section.
4. "Dangerous dog" means any dog which
a. without justification attacks a person, companion animal, farm animal, or domestic
animal as defined in this section and causes physical injury or death, or
b. behaves in a manner which a reasonable person would believe poses a serious
and unjustified imminent threat of serious physical injury or death to one or more
persons, companion animals, farm animals or domestic animals or
c. without justification attacks a "Guide Dog", "Hearing Dog", "Service Dog", "Working
Search Do "War Do "Detection Dog", "Police Work Do "Therapy g"
Dog", g, g, Dog", Thera Do an
causes physical injury or death.
d. "Dangerous dog" does not include a "Police Work Dog", while being used to assist
one or more law enforcement officers in the performance of their official duties.
4. "Detection dog" means any dog that is trained and is actually used for such purposes or is
undergoing training to be used for the purpose of detecting controlled substances,
explosives, ignitable liquids, firearms, cadavers, or school or correctional facility
contraband.
5. "Dog" means any member of the species canis familiaris.
6. "Dog Control Officer" means any individual appointed by the Town to assist in the
enforcement of this Local Law or any authorized officer, agent or employee of an
incorporated humane society or similar incorporated dog protective association under
contract with the Town to assist in the enforcement of this Local Law.
7. ''Domestic animal'' means any domesticated sheep, horse, cattle, fallow deer, red deer,
sika deer, whitetail deer which is raised under license from the New York State
Department of Environmental Conservation, llama, goat, swine, fowl, duck, goose, swan,
turkey, confined domestic hare or rabbit, pheasant or other bird which is raised in
confinement under license from the New York State Department of Environmental
Conservation before release from captivity, except that the varieties of fowl commonly
used for cock fights shall not be considered domestic animals for the purposes of this
Local law.
8. ''Farm animal", as used in this Local Law, means any ungulate, poultry, species of
cattle, sheep, swine, goats, llamas, horses or fur -bearing animals, as defined in New York
State Environmental Conservation Law, which are raised for commercial or
subsistence purposes. Fur -bearing animal shall not include dogs or cats.
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9. "Guide dog" means any dog that is trained to aid a person who is blind and is actually
used for such purpose, or any dog owned by a recognized guide dog training center
located within the State of New York during the period such dog is being trained or bred
for such purpose.
10. "Harbor" means to provide food or shelter to any dog.
11. "Hearing dog" means any dog that is trained to aid a person with a hearing impairment
and is actually used for such purpose, or any dog owned by a recognized training center
located within the State of New York during the period such dog is being trained or bred
for such purpose.
12. "Identification tag" means a tag issued by the Town of Groton or other licensing
municipality which sets forth an identification number, together with the name of the
municipality, the State of New York, contact information, including telephone number for
the municipality, and such other information as the licensing municipality deems
appropriate.
13. "Identified dog" means any dog carrying an identification tag.
14. "Municipality" means any county, town, city or village.
15. "New York State Agriculture and Markets Law'' means the Agriculture and Markets Law of
the State of New York in effect as of the effective date of January 1, 2011 and as
amended thereafter.
16. "Owner" means any person who harbors or keeps any dog. If a dog is not licensed, the
term of "owner" shall designate and cover any person or persons, firm, association or
corporation who or which at any time owns or has custody or control of, harbors, or is
otherwise responsible for any animal which is kept, brought or comes within the Town.
Any person owning or harboring a dog for a period of one week prior to the filing of any
complaint charging a violation of this Local Law shall be held and deemed to be the
owner of such dog for the purpose of this Local Law. In the event any dog found to be in
violation of this Local Law shall be owned by a minor (under 18 years of age), the head of
the household in which said minor resides shall be deemed to have custody and control
of said dog and shall be responsible for any acts of said dog and violation of this Local
Law.
17.''Owner of record" means the person purchasing the license or in whose name any dog
was last licensed. An owner of record shall be 18 years of age or older.
18. "Person" means any individual, corporation, partnership, association or other organized
group of persons, municipality, or other legal entity.
19. "Police work dog" means any dog owned or harbored by any state or municipal police
department or any state or federal law enforcement agency, which has been trained to
aid law enforcement officers and is actually being used for police work purposes.
20. "Purebred Dog" means a dog registered by a nationally recognized registry association.
21. ''Recognized registry association" means any registry association that operates on a
nationwide basis, issues numbered registration certificates and keeps such records as
may be required by the Commissioner of Agriculture.
22. "Service dog" means any dog that has been or is being individually trained to do work or
perform tasks for the benefit of a person with a disability, provided that the dog is or will
be owned by such person or that person's parent, guardian or other legal representative.
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23.''Therapy dog" means any dog that is trained to aid the emotional and physical health of
patients in hospitals, nursing homes, retirement homes and other settings and is actually
used for such purpose, or any dog owned by a recognized training center located within
the state during the period such dog is being trained or bred for such purpose.
24.''Tompkins County Working dog" shall refer to any "Guide Dog'', ''Hearing Dog", "Service
Dog'', "Working Search Dog", ''War Dog", ''Detection Dog", ''Police Work Dog'', or "Therapy
Dog'' as defined by this Local Law and Article 7 of New York State Agriculture & Markets
Law, and is duly licensed any licensing municipality within Tompkins County, New York
and wearing a Tompkins County Working Dog tag.
25. "Town" means the area within the corporate limits of the Town of Groton, including the
Village of Groton.
26. ''Town Board" means the Town of Groton Board.
27. "Town Clerk" means the Groton Town Clerk.
28. "Unaltered" shall refer to any dog that is not spayed or neutered.
29. "Village" means the area within the corporate limit of the Village of Groton.
30. "War dog" means any dog which has been honorably discharged from the United States
armed services.
31. ''Working search dog" means any dog that is trained to aid in the search for missing
persons, is actually used for such purpose.
Section 6. Licensing.
1. Application for Original License.
a. The owner of any dog reaching the age of four months shall immediately make
application to the Town Clerk for a dog license on a form provided by the Town
Clerk's Office. No license shall be required for any dog which is under the age of
four months and which is not at large, or any dog that is residing in a pound or
shelter maintained by or under contract or agreement with the State of New York
or any county, city, town or village, duly incorporated society for the prevention of
cruelty to animals, duly incorporated humane society or duly incorporated dog
protective association.
b. In the case of an unlicensed dog being redeemed by the owner or a dog being
adopted from a shelter or pound the Town Clerk and the manager of the facility
shall establish a licensing procedure that is agreeable and beneficial to both the
Town of Groton and the shelter or pound.
2. Rabies Vaccination Required. All applications for a dog license shall be accompanied
by a valid rabies certificate signed by a licensed veterinarian or, in lieu thereof, a
statement certified by a licensed veterinarian stating that the dog is too young to be
vaccinated or because of old age or another reason, the life of the dog would be
endangered by the administration of vaccine. A copy of the rabies certificate or
certified statement shall be made and attached to the Clerk's copy of the
application. In the case of an unlicensed dog being redeemed by the owner or a
dog being adopted form a shelter copies shall be forwarded to the Town Clerk. Such
records shall be kept on file by the Town Clerk and be made available upon request
for rabies and other animal disease control efforts.
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3. Spay/Neuter Certificates. In the case of a spayed or neutered dog, every application
shall be accompanied by a certificate signed by a licensed veterinarian or an
affidavit signed by the owner, showing that the dog has been spayed or neutered. In
lieu of the spay or neuter certificate an owner may present a statement certified by a
licensed veterinarian stating that he has examined the dog and found that because
of old age or other reason, the life of the dog would be endangered by spaying or
neutering. In such case, the license fee for the dog shall be the same as for a spayed
or neutered dog as set forth in Part 7 of this Section.
4. License. Upon receiving a complete application, the required documents and the
fee, the Town Clerk shall issue a license and tag. The Town Clerk's copy shall be kept
on file in accordance with the Records Retention and Disposition Schedule MU -1
issued by the New York State Archives and Records Administration.
5. Expiration of License. An original license shall be issued for a period of one year, and
shall expire on the last day of the month one year from the date of issue.
6. License Renewal.
a. License renewal forms shall be mailed by the Town Clerk.
b. A new rabies certificate shall be required if the one on record has expired or
expires within 30 days of the date of renewal. An in -lieu -of statement as described
in Part 2 of this Section may be substituted for a rabies certificate. New rabies
certificates and statements shall be copied and attached to the Town Clerk's
copy of the renewal.
c. A spay/neuter certificate shall not be required if one is already on file with the
Town Clerk. In a case where the dog has been altered during the preceding year,
the certificate shall be presented to the Town Clerk in order to receive the
reduced fee for an altered dog. The Town Clerk shall make a copy of the
certificate and attach it to the original license on file.
d. The renewal shall expire on the last day of the month in the same month that it was
originally issued. (i.e, a license originally issued in January will always expire in
January.)
e. Renewing early or late, does not change the renewal month. However, owners
having more than one dog may request common renewal dates for their licenses,
which may be granted at the discretion of the Town Clerk, provided that all other
licensing and renewal requirements are met. No licensing fees will be prorated,
refunded, or waived when accommodating such a request.
f. Upon renewal the Town Clerk shall provide a validated license to the owner. The
Clerk's copy shall be kept on file in accordance with the Records Retention and
Disposition Schedule MU -1 issued by the New York State Archives and Records
Administration.
7. License Fees.
a. Pursuant to this Local Law, the Town Board of the Town of Groton is authorized to
establish by resolution, a schedule of fees pertaining to the licensing, identification
and enumeration of dogs. The Town Board may amend the fee schedule by
resolution from time to time as it deems appropriate. The most current fee
schedule will be kept on file in the office of the Groton Town Clerk for public
inspection.
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b. All applications for original licenses or renewals shall be accompanied by a fee
established by resolution of the Groton Town Board.
c. All revenue derived from such fees shall be the sole property of the Town of Groton
and shall be used only for controlling dogs and enforcing this Local Law and
Article 7 of New York State Agriculture and Markets Law. Said revenue may also
be used to subsidize the spaying or neutering of dogs, to subsidize any facility as
authorized under Article 7 of New York State Agriculture and Markets Law, and to
subsidize public humane education programs related to responsible dog
ownership.
d. In no event shall any money derived from license fees be used to subsidize the
spaying or neutering of cats or animals other than dogs.
e. No license fees are refundable or partially refundable in the event that a dog is
lost, stolen, sold, given away, surrendered or deceased before the expiration of
the license.
f. An additional fee may be established by resolution of the Groton Town Board
should a dog be identified as unlicensed during an enumeration. Such additional
fee shall be the property of the Town of Groton and shall be used to pay the
expenses incurred while conducting the enumeration. In the event the additional
fees collected exceed the expenses incurred, such excess fees may be used for
enforcing this Local Law and for spaying or neutering dogs.
g. In addition to the fees set by the Town Board, an additional New York State
Spay/Neuter Surcharge shall be assessed for the purpose of carrying out
population control efforts as mandated by Article 7 of New York State Agriculture
and Markets Law. Money derived from such additional assessment may be used
to subsidize the spaying and neutering of cats as well as dogs pursuant to Article 7
of New York State Agriculture and Markets Law.
8. Exemptions to license Fees. Licenses for any guide dog, hearing dog, service dog,
war dog, working search dog, detection dog, police work dog or therapy dog shall
be exempt from license fees. Each copy of any license for such dogs shall be
conspicuously marked "Guide Dog", "Hearing Dog", "Service Dog", ''Working Search
Dog", ''War Dog'', ''Detection Dog", "Police Work Dog'', or "Therapy Dog", as may be
appropriate, by the Town Clerk. Pursuant to Article 7 of New York State Agriculture
and Markets Law, said dogs are not exempt from the mandated population control
fee.
9. Identification of dogs.
a. When a dog is originally licensed, a Town of Groton identification number will
assigned and an identification tag shall be issued, which shall be worn by the dog
at all times.
b. Existing New York State Agriculture and Markets dog licenses being renewed or
transferred in from another municipality shall be assigned a Town of Groton
identification number and an identification tag shall be issued. The New York State
Agriculture and Markets tag or other municipality's tag shall be discarded and the
Town of Groton tag shall be worn by the dog at all times.
c. A dog participating in a dog show is exempted from wearing an identification tag
only for the duration of the show.
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d. No identification tag shall be affixed to the collar of any dog other than the dog to
which it was assigned.
e. Any guide dog, hearing dog, service dog, war dog, working search dog,
detection dog, police work dog or therapy dog shall be issued a Town of Groton
identification tag and a Tompkins County Working Dog tag. Both tags shall be
worn by the dog at all times.
f. Lost tags shall be replaced at the expense of the owner at a fee set by the Groton
Town Board.
10. Change of Address. When there is a change of address for the owner of record,
the owner shall notify the Town Clerk's Office of such change. If the change is still
within the Town of Groton, the Town Clerk will make the appropriate updates to
the dog license record. If the change is located outside the Town of Groton, the
Town Clerk shall make a note in the record and cancel the license. The Clerk shall
forward a copy of the license to the Clerk of the municipality to which the owner
has moved, informing said Clerk that the dog now resides in their municipality.
11. Change of Ownership. In the event of a change in the ownership of any dog licensed
in the Town of Groton, the new owner shall immediately make application for a
license for such dog. Additionally, the original owner of record shall notify the Town
Clerk's Office of the change of ownership. Such original owner of record shall be
liable for any violation under this Local Law until such filing is made or until the dog is
licensed in the name of the new owner.
12. Lost, Stolen or Deceased Dog. If any dog which has been licensed in the Town of
Groton is lost, stolen or deceased, the owner of record shall notify the Town Clerk's
Office within ten days of the discovery of such loss, theft or death.
13. Lists of Licensed Dog Owners. No dog licensing records, information, or lists shall be
made available to any person or company for commercial purposes.
14. Purebred Licenses.
a. Purebred Licenses are offered in the Town of Groton as an alternative to individual
dog licenses for owners actively involved in the breeding and sale of purebred
dogs.
b. To qualify for a Purebred License, a person must own five or more purebred dogs
and at least five of those dogs must be unaltered.
c. At the time of application, the Town Clerk shall assign a Purebred License
identification number.
d. Application for a purebred license shall be on a form provided by the Town Clerk
and shall include rabies vaccination certification as specified in Part 2 of this
Section for every dog listed on the license, a copy of which shall be kept on file by
the Town Clerk.
e. Copies of registry papers for every dog or a comprehensive list of registry numbers
and associations shall be required and filed with the Clerk's copy of the license.
f. All dogs over four months of age must be listed and included in the purebred
license.
g. Purebred licenses shall be issued for one year and renewed annually.
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h. All applications for and renewals of purebred licenses shall be accompanied by a
fee as set by resolution of the Town Board. In addition, an assessment of $3.00 for
each dog unaltered dog and $1.00 for each altered dog shall be added for the
purpose of carrying out animal population control efforts as mandated by Article 7
of New York State Agriculture and Markets Law. No fee or portion thereof shall be
refundable once the license is issued.
i. The Town Clerk may request that the Dog Control Officer verify the number of dogs
being claimed on any purebred license.
j. No purebred license is transferable. Upon change of ownership of any dog
licensed under a purebred license, the new owner shall immediately make
application for a license pursuant to Part 1 of this Section, except when the new
owner holds a valid purebred license and adds the dog to such purebred license.
Section 7. Prohibited Acts. It shall be unlawful for any owner of a dog to permit or allow such
dog to:
1. Run at large.
2. When within the corporate limits of the Village of Groton, be off the owner's property
unless restrained and controlled by an adequate collar and a leash not exceeding
eight feet in length.
3. When in the area of the Town of Groton outside the corporate limits of the Village, be
off the owner's property unless restrained by an adequate collar and leash except
when it is accompanied by its owner or a responsible person able to control it by
command.
4. Engage in habitual loud howling, barking, crying or whining or conduct itself in such a
manner so as to unreasonably and habitually annoy and/or disturb any person other
than the owner of such dog.
5. Cause damage or destruction to property or defecate, urinate, dig or otherwise
commit a nuisance other than on the property of the owner of such dog.
6. Chase, jump upon or at, or otherwise harass any person in such a manner as to
reasonably cause intimidation or fear or to put such person in reasonable
apprehension of bodily harm or injury.
7. Chase, run alongside of, bark at or otherwise harasses any motor vehicle, motorcycle,
bicycle, carriage or any other vehicle or device used by persons for travel or any riders
or occupants thereof while said vehicle or device is on a public highway or private
property other than property of the owner of said dog. For purposes of this section, a
horse or other animal shall be considered a vehicle or device.
8. Fail to license any dog at the age of four (4) months or older, or allow any dog to be
unlicensed due to failure to renew a dog license.
9. Fail to have any dog identified by a valid and current Town of Groton dog license
identification tag.
10. Knowingly affix to any dog any false or improper identification tag or any
identification tag belonging to another dog.
11. Fail to confine, restrain or present such dog for any lawful purpose pursuant to this
Local Law or Article 7 of New York State Agriculture and Markets Law.
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12. Furnish any false or misleading information on any license or form, required by the
Town, the Groton Dog Control Officer, or any shelter or pound servicing the Town of
Groton.
13. Fail to notify the Town Clerk of any change of ownership, change of address, death or
loss of any dog licensed in the Town of Groton.
Establishment of the fact or facts that a dog has committed any of the acts prohibited by this
Local Law shall be presumptive evidence against the owner of such dog that he/she has
failed to properly confine, leash or control his/her dog.
Section 8. Areas Were Dogs Are Not Allowed.
No dogs, with the exception of a guide dog, hearing dog, service dog, war dog, working
search dog, detection dog, police work dog or therapy dog, shall be allowed on the
following properties:
1. Property owned by the Groton Central School District
2. Memorial Park on Sykes Street
3. Any cemetery that duly files a letter with the Town Clerk and Village Clerk that they do
no wish to have dogs on their property.
Section 9. Removal of Feces.
1. Any owner who allows a dog to defecate on any public or private property, other
than the property of the owner, shall immediately clean up the feces, place it in a
plastic container or bag, and deposit it in a container used for the disposal of refuse.
2. In no event shall any feces be deposited in the Village of Groton sewer system, storm
drains, the Owasco Inlet, or any other streams or ponds.
Section 10. Conditions for Keeping Dogs.
All premises occupied by dogs shall be kept in a clean, sanitary condition. Adequate food,
water, shelter and space must be provided for each dog owned. For the purpose of this
Section, "adequate" shall mean sufficient for age, size and number of dogs on the premises.
Section 11. Female Dogs.
All female dogs, while in season (heat), shall be confined to the premises of their owner and
my not be left outside unattended. Any owner not adhering to this section shall be subject to
having the dog seized by the Dog Control Officer and removed to a shelter or pound for
confinement. The owner of any dog seized pursuant to this section shall be subject to an
impoundment fee plus the shelter's usual boarding fees for time spent in the shelter. In the
event that the dog is released from the shelter before the end of its cycle, the owner must
demonstrate to the shelter manager that the dog shall be sufficiently confined elsewhere.
Section 12. Liability of Owner.
1. If a domestic, farm or companion animal is injured or killed as a result of being
attacked, chased or worried by any dog, the owner of said dog shall be liable for
damage. The owner of such injured or killed animal may make a complaint to the
Dog Control Officer or a police officer who shall proceed pursuant to the Dangerous
Dog Section of Article 7 of New York State Agriculture and Markets Law.
2. In no event shall the Town of Groton, the Village of Groton, or the County of Tompkins
be held liable for any damage done by any dog.
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Section 13. Dangerous Dogs.
1. The determination of a Dangerous Dog and the prosecution of the owner of such a
dog shall be pursuant to Article 7 of New York State Agriculture and Markets Law.
2. In the event that a dog is determined by the Groton Town Court to be a dangerous
dog, the Court shall give notice to the Town Clerk of such determination and note will
be made in the dog's record. Additionally, the Town Clerk shall notify the Village
Clerk, law enforcement and emergency services.
Section 14. Enforcement/Appearance Ticket.
Any Dog Control Officer or other person or persons, who are or may be lawfully authorized by
the Town, shall, and any Village of Groton Police Officer or any other peace officer may,
administer and enforce the provisions of this Local Law, and for such purpose shall have the
authority to issue appearance tickets.
Section 15. Seizure, Impoundment, Redemption and Adoption.
1. Any dog belonging to a person found in violation of any of the provisions of this Local
Law may be seized pursuant to the provisions of New York State Agriculture and
Markets Law.
2. Any dog believed to be dangerous and which poses an immediate threat to the
public safety may be seized.
3. Any dog may be seized, which has been judged to be a Dangerous Dog pursuant to
New York State Agriculture and Markets Law and whose owner has failed to obey a
court order pertaining to said Dangerous Dog.
4. Every dog impounded shall be properly cared for, sheltered, fed and watered.
5. Seized dogs may be redeemed by producing proof of licensing and identification and
by paying:
a. $30.00 for the first 24 hours or part thereof, plus $10.00 per additional day for
food, shelter and care, for the first impoundment of any dog owned by a
person.
b. $50.00 for the first 24 hours or part thereof, plus $10.00 per additional day for
food, shelter and care, for the second impoundment within one year of the first
impoundment of any dog belonging to that person.
c. $70.00 for the first 24 hours or part thereof, plus $10.00 per additional day for
food, shelter and care, for the third impoundment within one year of the first
impoundment of any dog belonging to that person.
6. Each dog which is not identified, whether or not licensed, shall be held for a period of
5 days from the day seized during which period the dog may be redeemed by its
owner. Said owner shall provide proof that the dog has been licensed pursuant to
this Local Law and pay an impoundment fee pursuant to Part 5 of this Section. Seized
dogs that are found to be unlicensed shall be licensed before leaving the shelter and
shall pay an Impounded Dog License Surcharge in addition to the regular licensing
fee as set by resolution of the Town Board
7. In the case of an identified dog, the owner of record shall be promptly notified by the
Dog Control Officer of the seizure and the procedure for redemption either personally
or by certified, return receipt requested mail. If notification is personally given, the
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dog shall be held for a period of 7 days after the day of notice, during which period
the dog may be redeemed by the owner. If such notification is made by mail, the
dog shall be held for a period of 9 days from the date of mailing, during which period
the dog may be redeemed by the owner. Said owner shall provide proof that the
dog has been licensed pursuant to this Local Law and pay an impoundment pursuant
to Part 5 of this Section. Any owner who provides an expired license as proof will be
required to renew the license and pay the additional Impounded Dog License
Surcharge before the dog is released from the shelter.
8. Any dog unredeemed at the expiration of the appropriate redemption period shall be
made available for adoption or euthanized pursuant to the provision of New York
State Agriculture and Markets Law.
9. If the owner of any unredeemed dog is known, such owner shall be required to pay
the impoundment fees required by Part 5 of this Section.
10. The seizure of any dog shall not relieve any person from any violation of this Local Law
or New York State Agriculture and Markets Law.
Section 16. Complaint.
1. Any Town -designated Dog Control Officer or Agency having reasonable cause to
believe that a violation of this Local Law has been committed in his/her presence
shall, and any Village Police Officer or other peace officer may, issue and serve upon
such person an appearance ticket for such violation.
2. Any person who observes a dog in violation of this Local Law may file a complaint,
under oath, with a Town -designated Dog Control Officer or Agency specifying the
nature of the violation, the date thereof, a description of the dog, the location of the
violation and the name and residence, if known, of the owner of such dog. Such
complaint may serve as the basis for enforcing the provisions of this Local Law.
3. Upon receipt by the Town -designated Dog Control Officer or Agency of any such
complaint, that Officer or Agency shall issue an appearance ticket to the alleged
owner of the dog to appear before the Groton Town Court at a date and time
specified.
Section 17. Violations and Penalties.
1. A plea or conviction of a violation of this Local Law shall be prosecuted pursuant to
penal law, by a fine of not less than twenty-five dollars ($25), except:
2. Where a person is found to have violated this Local Law or any prior Town of Groton
Dog Law within the preceding five years, the fine may be not less than fifty dollars
($50) and
3. Where the person is found to have violated this Local Law or any prior Town of Groton
Dog Law two or more times within the preceding five years, it shall be punishable by a
fine of not less than one hundred dollars ($100) or imprisonment for not more than
fifteen (15) days, or both.
4. For the purpose of conferring jurisdiction upon courts and judicial officers generally,
offenses of this Local Law shall be deemed violations and for such purposes only all
provisions of law relating to violations shall apply.
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Section 18. Additional Penalties.
1. Pursuant to Article 7 of New York State Agriculture and Markets Law, any person who
intentionally refuses, withholds, or denies a person, because he or she is accompanied
by an on -duty police work dog, working search, war, or detection dog, any
accommodations, facilities, or privileges thereof shall be subject to a civil penalty of
up to $200.00 for the first violation and up to $400.00 for each subsequent violation.
2. Pursuant to Article 7 of New York State Agriculture and Markets Law, any person who
for the purpose of participating in the animal population control program shall falsify
proof of adoption from a pound, shelter, duly incorporated society for the prevention
of cruelty to animals, duly incorporated humane society or duly incorporated dog or
cat protective association or who shall furnish any licensed veterinarian of this state
with inaccurate information concerning his or her residency or the ownership of an
animal or such person's authority to submit an animal for a spaying or neutering
procedure pursuant to this Local Law and/or Section 117 of New York State Agriculture
and Markets Law, and any veterinarian who shall furnish false information concerning
animal sterilization fees shall be guilty of a violation prosecuted pursuant to the New
York State Penal Law punishable by a fine of not less than $250.00.
Section 19. Disposition of Fines.
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, all moneys collected as fines or penalties by the
Town of Groton as a result of any prosecution for violations of the provisions of this Local Law
or Article 7 of New York State Agriculture and Markets Law and all bail forfeitures by persons
charged with such violations shall be the property of the Town of Groton and shall be paid to
the Town Supervisor. Such moneys shall be used only for controlling dogs and enforcing this
Local Law. Said revenue may also be used to subsidize the spaying or neutering of dogs, any
facility as authorized under Article 7 of New York State Agriculture and Markets Law, and
subsidizing public humane education programs in responsible dog ownership.
Section 20. Nonliability.
No action shall be maintained against the Town of Groton, the Village of Groton, the Groton
Dog Control Officer, any Village of Groton Police Officer, or any person or persons lawfully
authorized by the Town when performing duties pursuant to this Local Law or New York State
Agriculture and Markets Law to recover the possession or value of any dog, or for damages
for injury or compensation for the destruction of any dog seized or destroyed pursuant to the
provisions of this Local Law or New York State Agriculture and Markets Law.
Section 21. Separability
If any section, paragraph, subdivision, clause, phrase or provision of this Local Law shall be
judged invalid or held unconstitutional, it shall not affect the validity of the Local Law as a
whole or any part or provision thereof other than the part so decided to be invalid or
unconstitutional.
Section 22. Repealer.
This Local Law shall supersede all prior Local Laws, ordinances, rules and regulations relative
to the control, licensing and fee schedules of dogs within the Town and they shall be, upon
the effective date of this Local Law, null and void.
Section 23. Effective Date.
This Local Law shall take effect the 1 st day of January 2011.
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(Complete the certification in the paragraph that applies to the filing of this local law and
strike out that which Is not applicable.)
1. (Final adoption by local legislative body only.) DIG
I herebq certify: that the local law annexed hereto, designated as local law No, of 2U of
the jown)~ of Groton
was duly passed by the
Town. Board of the Town of Groton on November 3, 20.10 in accordance with the applicable
p-r-ovisi: nsoflaw.
2. (Passage by local legislative body with approval, no disapproval or repassage after disapproval by the Elective
Chief Executive Officer.)
I hereby certify that the local law annexed hereto., designated as local law l 01 of 20 of
the (Coun:�y (Cjty)(To..,wn.fVil:lag.e,^, of
was duly passed by the
on20 and wa
as (approved)(not approved)
(Name of Legisslavve Bod
(repassed after disapproval i", by the
(Eletive Cthief E
Exec Cfficerlf
h
ance w ith tI.'.-.--e applicatile proVisions of law,
Oil 2P in accord 1 1
3. Final adopt-,ion by referendum.)
I hereby certify that the local law annexed hereto, designated as local law No -
of
):Villagel
the (County)t*r*�ry';:t'.To..,.. (vwnA
(Name- of Legisla Bod
,,repassed passed after disapprovaH4 by the
on 2.0
(Es tive 4,-h-ief ExecuUve Officerl'
and was deemed duly adopted
of 20 Of
was duly passed by the
IL
and was 0jappiroved)(no.' approved
on 20
Such local law was submitted to the people by reason of a (mandatoryXpermissive) referendum. and received the affirmative
:
vote of majority of the qualified elector, voting ,hereon at the Igene: ra 1)(special1l'annUa) elution held on
20 in accordanceA-1-th..., the applicable prov.1-1-isio-ils of4,u!.
4. (Subject to permissive referendLIM and final ad -option because no: valid petition was filed requesting referendum.)
I hereby ce..-irtify that the local law annexed hereto, deli gmated as l:qcal ]a %i o of 2C: of
the (County)(C ity)( Town)("Villa gme): of
m . I t was duly passed by the
on 2C and was (approved"o"not approvedi
me. of Legislat
frepasse-d after disapproval) by i e Oil 20 Such local
C.L." Chief
a
la-im'soyas suNect to permissive referendum and no valid petition: requesting such reeferen-clum was filed as of
20 in accordance wi.1h the applicable pravis ions . of law.
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5. (City local law concerning. Charter revision proposed -by petition.)
I hereby ce.rtify that the local laijv annexed hereto, designated as Io- callaw No of of 20
the City -of having been, subr�iitted torefelfenndurn pursuantto, the provisions of section (36)(37) of
the Municipal Home RuleLa..'lAr. and having received. the affirmative vote: of a majority of t-11he qualifilied electorsof such cA.-'yvoti.ng
thereon at the (special) f genera[) election held ori 20 became operative.
6.
(Coo qty local law concerning adoption of Charter.)
1 hereby cer—tif i That the local law annexed hereto, designated. as local law No of 20 of
the County of State of New York, -having been submitted to the electors a, : t, t1he General Election of
November 20, pursuant to subdivisions 5 and 7 of s 33 ection of the Munic-ilpal Home Rule Law, and having
received the affirmative: vote of a majority:of the qualified electors of the cities of said county as a unit and a majority of the
qualified electors of the torwi.-ins of said couinty conisi derect as Unitvio-ting at. said gpneral election, became operative.
(If any other authorized form of -final adoption has been followed, please provide an appropriate certification.1
I A_.
I fu- rther ceiftifylthat haive com pa red th in p neceding local I a -w with; the original on file in this office and that the sa.-ii-nie is a.
A, U hmanner indicated in
:correct transcript t."..-herefron"t.. and of the of such original local, 11a%vu, -vda was finally ad- opted in t:e
A.
paragraph above.
'C
-'i Town: 3F -Tero'l-k raf, eewsi4io�
7
111d u4?,4�
D Li. t ea
(Certification to be executect.by County Attorney., Corporation UJ-UnSell, Town Attorney, Village Attorney or other
aUtborized attorney of locality.)
STATE OF NEW YORK
C0UNTY'k'_--)F TOMPKINS
the undersign-ld, h:.ereb�y verb %f that the foregoing local: law cctn".".iins,,"he:c..-..o:r�ect,tex'. and that all proper proceedings rha'Ve
been had or taken for the enactment of the local law annexed hereto..
Atom-ey
lt
T'Ale
CCA=y,
ED of Groton
Tawn
Wjoge
Je,7
Date:
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