Town Leash Law

Town Bylaw # 207
 

[adopted 2-11-1997 at Special Town Meeting (STM) - article 16]

[article 16 accepted the provisions of Massachusetts General Law (MGL) chapter 140,  paragraph 146A, thereby empowering the Town to enact bylaws and ordinances relative to the regulation of dogs.]
 

Paragraph 207-1

No person keeping, owning or having possession, charge, custody or control of any dog shall cause, or permit, suffer or allow the dog to stray, run, be or go, in any manner at large, in or upon any public street, way, sidewalk, school yard or grounds, park or private property of others without express consent of the owner of such private property, except such dog that may be under control by means of a chain or leash, not longer than six feet in length.
 

Paragraph 207-10

Violations and penalties  [ammended 4-11-1995 at Annual Town Meeting (ATM), article 26.

A violation of this bylaw shall be punished by a fine of $20 for the first offense, $40 for the second offense and $50 for the third or subsequent offense during any one calendar year. Whoever violates any provision of this bylaw may, in the discretion of the enforcing officer, specifically including the Dog Officer, be penalized by a noncriminal complaint pursuant to the provisions of MGL chapter 40, paragraph 21D, and the Town's Noncriminal Disposition Bylaw (Chapter1, General Provisions, Article II, Penalties; Noncriminal Disposition). For the purpose of this provision, the penalty to apply in the event of a violation shall be $20 for the first offense, $40 for the second offense and $50 for the third or subsequent offense.  
 

For a complete copy of this, and other Hopedale Bylaws, please contact the Town Clerk at 508-634-2203 x15.