Town of Moreau Dog Control

(518) 361-2589 or (518) 743-0665

Daniel Styczynski, DCO

Rabies Clinic

The Town of Moreau has an ordinance entitled "Dogs". The ordinance reads as follows:

DOGS
CHAPTER 59
MOREAU TOWN CODE

§59-1.General restrictions§59-2.Seizure of dogs at large

§59-3.Duties of Dog Control Officer

§59-4.Filing of complaints.

§59-5.Summons

§59-6.Penalties for offenses

§59-7.Period of Impoundment

§59-8.Licenses; fees; exemptions
[HISTORY:  Adopted by the Town Board of the Town of Moreau 12-11-73 as Ch. 11 of the 1973 Code.  Amendments noted where where applicable.]

§59-1.    General Restrictions.
It shall be unlawful for any owner of or any person harboring any dogs in the Town of Moreau to permit or allow such dog to:

1. Run at large unless said dog is restrained by an adequate collar and leash.  A dog or dogs hunting in company with a hunter or hunters does not constitute running at large.
2. Engage in habitual loud howling or barking or to conduct itself in such a manner so as to habitually annoy any person other than the owner or person harboring such dog.
3. Cause damage or destruction to property or commit a nuisance upon the premises of a person other than the owner or person harboring such dog.
4. Chase or otherwise harass any person in such manner as reasonable to cause intimidation or to put such person in reasonable apprehension of bodily harm or injury.
5. Habitually chase or bark at motor vehicles.

§59-2.    Seizure of dogs at large. [Amended 7-27-1990 by L.L. No. 4-1990]
Any unlicensed or untagged dog found to be running at large in violation of §118 of the Agriculture & Markets Law shall be seized, and such dog shall be properly fed and cared for until disposed of as provided by said §118.

§59-3.    Duties of Dog Control Officer. [Amended 7-27-1990 by L.L. No. 4-1990]
A Dog Control Officer to be designated by the Town Board, as provided by §115 of the Agriculture & Markets Law, may enforce the provisions of this chapter and may also investigate and report to a Town Justice of the Town of Moreau any dangerous dog, as described in §121 of the Agriculture & Markets Law, and see that the order or orders of the Town Justice in such case are carried out.

§59-4.    Filing of complaints.
Any person who observes a dog causing damage or destruction to property of a person other than its owner or committing a nuisance upon the premises of a person other than its owner may file a signed complaint, under oath, with a Town Justice of the Town of Moreau specifying the objectionable conduct of the dog, the date thereof, the damage caused, a description of the dog and name and residence, if known, of the owner or other person harboring said dog.

§59-5.    Summons.
Upon receipt by the Town Justice of any complaint against the conduct of any particular dog, the Town Justice may summon the alleged owner or other person harboring said dog to appear in person before him.  If the summons is disregarded, the Justice may permit the filing of an information and issue a warrant for the arrest of such person.

§59-6.    Penalties for offenses. [Amended 7-27-1990 by L.L. No. 4-1990]
A violation of this chapter shall be deemed an offense against this chapter, and any person convicted of such violation after investigation and hearing shall be liable to the penalty set forth in §119 of Agriculture & Markets Law.

§59-7.    Period for impoundment. [Amended 7-27-1990 by L.L. No. 4-1990]
Dogs impounded under the provisions of this chapter or under the provisions of Article 7 of the Agriculture & Markets Law shall be held for redemption no less than three days, except that this time period may be extended to five days at the discretion of the Dog Control Officer.

§59-8.    License; fees; exemptions. [Added 3-9-1999 by L.L. No. 1-1999]

1. Authority.  The authority shall be the Article 7 of the New York State Agriculture & Markets Law.
2. Licensing of dogs. Application for a dog license shall be made to the Town Clerk on a form prescribed by the town.
3. Fees.  The annual local license fee for dogs licensed in the Town of Moreau is $2.50.
4. Exemption.  The license fee established herein shall not apply to any guide dog, hearing dog, service dog, war dog or police work dog.
5. Effective date.  This section shall become effective upon filing with the office of the Secretary of State.

ARTICLE 7 - NYS AGRICULTURE & MARKETS LAW
Note:  All dogs that are picked up by the Dog Control Officer are taken to the Saratoga County Animal Shelter, 6010 County Farm Road,  Ballston Spa,  NY  12020.