ARTICLE II. DOGS AND CATS1
5-13 Definitions.
The following definitions shall apply to this article:
"At-large" shall mean not under the control of the owner, a member of the owner’s immediate family, or the owner’s agent by leash or other similar means of physical restraint.
"Cat" shall include both male and female of the feline species.
"Dangerous dog" shall mean a dog that attacks or bites a person or other domestic pet while the dog is off the premises of the owner or keeper. Dangerous dog complaints shall be investigated pursuant to Section 5-27(b).
"Dog" shall include both male and female of the canine species. Dog shall also mean any animal who is considered to be a wolf-hybrid as defined in 20 V.S.A. § 3541(6).
"Owner" shall include any person or persons, firm, association or corporation owning, keeping or harboring a dog or cat.
(Ord. of 6-23-97; Ord. of 4-17-00; Ord. of 4-17-23(1); Ord. of 3-24-25)
5-14 At-large prohibited.
(a) Prohibition. Except as exempted below, no person shall permit a dog for whom they are the owner, agent of the owner, or keeper to be at-large as defined in Section 5-13 or to trespass upon the property of another, public or private.
(b) Public Safety. Should an at-large dog be deemed to pose an imminent public safety risk, said animal may be killed by the police department or their designee. Such an act shall occur where other reasonable means to control the animal have been unsuccessful or deemed not practicable under the circumstances.
(c) Exemptions. A dog is not at-large if they are:
(1) On the premises of the dog’s owner;
(2) On the premises of the person under whose control the dog is under; or
(3) On the premises of another person as long as that person has given permission for the dog to be at-large;
(4) A dog is not at-large if they are in a designated off-leash dog area managed and regulated by the board of parks and recreation commissioners.
(Ord. of 6-23-97; Ord. of 4-17-00; Ord. of 9-10-12(1); Ord. of 3-24-25)
5-15 License and rabies vaccination required.
(a) Licensing. Every owner or keeper of a dog or cat more than six (6) months old shall be required to register and license the animal, in the manner prescribed by the city, with the city clerk’s office and to do so annually; provided, that no owner shall be required to register a dog or cat more than once in any calendar year. Pursuant to 20 V.S.A. § 3582, if application is made after October 1, the fee for the license shall be one-half the amount otherwise required. The license shall expire on the first day of April next after its issuance. Upon issuance of such license and payment of the license fee as required in Section 5-16, each owner shall receive a license tag.
(b) Rabies vaccination. Proof of a current rabies vaccination, as required by state law, shall be required for the licensing of any animal.
(c) Fixture of tag. The license tag issued to any person as provided herein as well as up-to-date identification that includes the name and contact information for the owner of the dog or cat shall be securely attached to a collar or harness on such licensed dog or cat and worn at all times or the dog or cat shall have a current microchip.
(d) Effective date. The requirements for licensing of cats shall become effective April 1, 2026.
(Ord. of 6-23-97; Ord. of 8-14-00; Ord. of 6-4-07, eff. 7-4-07; Ord. of 3-24-25)
State law reference—Control of rabies 20 V.S.A. § 3801 et seq.; immunization required, 20 V.S.A. § 4003.
5-16 License fees.
(a) In addition to the license fee and any penalty fee required by state law, the municipal fee for each license required by this article shall be recommended by the clerk’s office and approved by the city council; provided, that the fee for an intact dog or cat shall be greater than that for a neutered or spayed dog or cat. The fees established under this section shall be reviewed not less than every five (5) years.
(b) The owner or keeper of a neutered/spayed dog that serves as the person’s service animal under the Americans with Disabilities Act may request waiver of the municipal license fee (but not the state fee) by providing to the city clerk’s office adequate responses to the following questions in writing:
• Is the dog a service animal required because of a disability?
• What work or task has the dog been trained to perform?
(Ord. of 6-23-97; Ord. of 6-25-01; Ord. of 6-4-07, eff. 7-4-07; Ord. of 2-16-21; Ord. of 3-24-25)
State law reference—Similar provisions, 20 V.S.A. § 3581.
5-17 Removal of dog and cat waste required.
The owner, keeper or person in control of any dog or cat shall be responsible for the removal of any defecation deposited by such dog or cat on any public or private property.
(Ord. of 6-23-97; Ord. of 3-24-25)
5-18—5-23 Reserved.
Cross reference—Dogs prohibited in cemetery, § 9-14.
State law reference—Dog generally, 20 V.S.A. § 3541 et seq.; authority of municipality to regulate keeping dogs, 24 V.S.A. § 2291(10).