Smithville passes local law concerning dog licensing
SMITHVILLE FLATS – With the passage of local law number one for the year of 2011, the Town of Smithville became the latest municipality to go into the “dog business.”
The law, titled, “Licensing, Identification and Control of Dogs in the Town of Smithville,” was adopted by the town’s board at a meeting last night at the Community Center in Smithville Flats.
The 11-page, 21-section document governs all aspects of licensing and identification of dogs, as well as control and protection of the canine population within the township’s 50.8 square mile footprint.
Under the new law, the Smithville town clerk, Alison B. Owens, will assume responsibility for all aspects of the licensing and renewal of dog licenses as well as the record keeping associated with these duties. Until Jan. 1, these responsibilities fell to the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets. In August, the state agency announced its intention of handing this task back to local municipalities, who had performed these duties prior to 1981.
Many of Chenango’s other townships have already passed similar laws.
In conjunction with passage of the local law, the Smithville town board also adopted a resolution setting licensing fees. As a result, town residents will be required to pay $8.50 per year to register dogs which have been spayed or neutered, and $15 per year for “unaltered” dogs.
Licenses are required for any dog over 4 months old which is harbored in the Town of Smithville. Proof of rabies vaccination is required at the time of application, as is a spay/neuter certificate for animals which have been altered.
The local law also enumerates prohibited acts associated with dog ownership, and outlines how the determination will be made regarding dangerous dogs.
Those found in violation of the local law could face fines of $25 or more. Repeat offenders will face stiffer fines and penalties, including up to 15 days of imprisonment for those who violate the current or previous town law two or more times within a five year period.
According to Ag and Market law, fees and fines collected by the town can only be used to enforce the local law, for dog control efforts, to subsidize the spaying and neutering of dogs or to offer humane education programs to the public.
The law, titled, “Licensing, Identification and Control of Dogs in the Town of Smithville,” was adopted by the town’s board at a meeting last night at the Community Center in Smithville Flats.
The 11-page, 21-section document governs all aspects of licensing and identification of dogs, as well as control and protection of the canine population within the township’s 50.8 square mile footprint.
Under the new law, the Smithville town clerk, Alison B. Owens, will assume responsibility for all aspects of the licensing and renewal of dog licenses as well as the record keeping associated with these duties. Until Jan. 1, these responsibilities fell to the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets. In August, the state agency announced its intention of handing this task back to local municipalities, who had performed these duties prior to 1981.
Many of Chenango’s other townships have already passed similar laws.
In conjunction with passage of the local law, the Smithville town board also adopted a resolution setting licensing fees. As a result, town residents will be required to pay $8.50 per year to register dogs which have been spayed or neutered, and $15 per year for “unaltered” dogs.
Licenses are required for any dog over 4 months old which is harbored in the Town of Smithville. Proof of rabies vaccination is required at the time of application, as is a spay/neuter certificate for animals which have been altered.
The local law also enumerates prohibited acts associated with dog ownership, and outlines how the determination will be made regarding dangerous dogs.
Those found in violation of the local law could face fines of $25 or more. Repeat offenders will face stiffer fines and penalties, including up to 15 days of imprisonment for those who violate the current or previous town law two or more times within a five year period.
According to Ag and Market law, fees and fines collected by the town can only be used to enforce the local law, for dog control efforts, to subsidize the spaying and neutering of dogs or to offer humane education programs to the public.
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