Poop-a-Scoop Regulations

(Poop-a-Scoop Law)
 

1. These regulations are made pursuant to Chapter III of Massachusetts General Law (MGL), Section 31, to protect the public health of the residents of Hopedale.
 

2. Evidence demonstrates that canine waste can cause serious health problems.
 

SECTION 2 - REMOVAL AND DISPOSAL OF CANINE WASTE
 

It shall be the duty of each person who owns, possesses or controls a dog to remove and dispose of any feces left by his/her dog on any sidewalk, gutter, street, park or other public area, or on any private property neither owned nor occupied by said person. No person who owns, possesses or controls such dog shall appear with such dog on any sidewalk, gutter, street, park or other public area, or on any private property neither owned nor occupied by said person,  without the means of removal of any feces left by such dog.  For the purpose of this section, the means of removal shall be any tool, implement or other device carried for the purpose of picking up or containing such feces in a manner that such feces shall be unexposed to said person in public. Disposal shall be accomplished by transporting such feces to a suitable place.
 

Any person who violates or permits a violation of this CHAPTER shall be subject to a fine of FIFTY ($50.00) DOLLARS to be assessed for each and every violation. All fines shall be payable to the Town of Hopedale through the Town Clerk's office. The Chief of Police may, as an alternative to initiating criminal proceedings, treat violations of this chapter in a non-criminal manner pursuant to the provision of MGL CH 40, sec 21D.
 

The following persons shall be authorized enforcement: Police officer, Animal Control Officer, Board of Health Agent, Members of the Board of Health.
 

BOH approved  4-20-2000

         effective    6-06-2000