§ 3-5. Impoundment

(a) The town may take unlicensed dogs, whether or not at large, and dogs found running at large, whether or not licensed, with or without complaint and place the dog in a shelter designated by the town as the town animal shelter and there confined in a humane manner for a period of not more than thirty (30) days.

(b) Where the ownership of any such dog is known or can be reasonably ascertained by the town, it shall, if possible, notify the owner within three (3) days of such impoundment, but failure to give such notice shall in no way impose any liability upon the town for the destruction or transfer of any dog so impounded and not reclaimed within said period of thirty (30) days of notice of impoundment.

(c) Any owner or keeper may regain possession of a dog impounded pursuant to this section upon payment of the impoundment and boarding fees set forth herein. Any dog impounded under the provisions of this section and not reclaimed by the owner within said thirty (30) days shall be considered abandoned by the owner and shall became the property of the town animal shelter and may, after consultation with the Humane Society and/or the Animal Refuge League, be given to the Humane Society and/or Animal Refuge League or any person deemed to be responsible and a suitable owner, or as a last resort be humanely destroyed.

(Ord. of 9-22-2003)