DOGS – Leash Law and Excrement

 

Town Meeting in April 2003 approved a new dog bylaw, the essence of which is as follows:

 

·        Provincetown's dogs and their owners enhance the character of the Town, and the Town seeks to encourage responsible dog ownership and behavior.

 

·        Dogs must not interfere with the reasonable expectations of residents and visitors for safety, appropriate health standards, and enjoyment of peace and quiet in public and private areas. It seeks to balance the interests of dog owners and their dogs with the interests of all Town inhabitants.

 

·        Dogs must be under proper supervision of a person when out in the public or when the dogs can access the public.  New to this bylaw is the notion of a dog being under “voice and sight control” on the beach during permitted times.  Dogs must still be restrained by leash in any Town boundary.  They must also be restrained by leash on the Town beaches at other than permitted times.  Any dog displaying aggression or failing to respond to any control of the owner is in violation.

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·        Dogs may be off-leash only in specific off-leash areas other than beaches as designated by the Town, provided that such dog is under voice and sight control. The following are Town-owned open space off-leash areas (limited by specified times as noted): Shankpainter Pond Uplands, Foss Woods, Locke Property (also known as 'Whistle Path Woods'), Abandoned Railroad Right-Of-Way, and all Town beaches.

 

·        From Memorial Day through November 1 dogs may be off-leash if under voice and sight control on Town beaches between the hours of 6 am and 9 am and the hours of 6 pm and 9 pm; from November 2 through the day before Memorial Day dogs may be off-leash if under voice and sight control on Town beaches between the hours of 6 am and 9pm; all dogs must be restrained on Town beaches at all other times.

 

·        In designated off-leash areas, any owner whose dog is not under voice and sight control or is out of control is in violation of this by-law. In all other areas, any owner whose dog is at large, out of control, or not restrained is in violation of this by-law. A non-criminal disposition penalty will be assessed in the amount of $10 (ten dollars) to the owner for the first offense; $15 (fifteen dollars) for the second offense; $25 (twenty-five dollars) for the third offense; $50 (fifty dollars) for the fourth offense; and $75 (seventy-five dollars) for the fifth and subsequent offenses. Each violation of this by-law shall be deemed to be a separate offense.

·        Dog Excrement and Removal. No owner shall permit a dog to defecate upon public sidewalks, streets, beaches, or Town-owned land or structures without immediately and permanently removing the excrement therefrom, nor shall said person permit such excrement to remain on private property without consent of the owner or occupant of same. A non-criminal disposition penalty will be assessed in the amount of $100 (one hundred dollars) to the owner for the first offense; $200 (two hundred dollars) for the second offense; and $300 (three hundred dollars) for the third and subsequent offenses.  Those in control of dogs should carry plastic bags with them or avail themselves of bags located at public landings along the beach.

 

·        Licensing.  Dogs must be licensed by the Town Clerk

 

·        Loss of Off-Leash Privileges to Specific Dogs. The Chief of Police is authorized under this by-law to determine, in the interests of public safety and health, whether an individual dog must be restrained at all times on public property and off-leash areas. If the Chief of Police so determines, notice of such decision to prohibit an individual dog from all off-leash privileges within the Town shall be communicated in the most immediate manner possible and shall be mailed to the dog's owner of record. On any subsequent occasion when such dog is determined to be in violation of the Chief of Police's decision, a non-criminal disposition penalty will be assessed in the amount of $75 (seventy-five dollars).

 

·        HORSES AND OTHER ANIMALS.   Horses and other animals are covered by this bylaw and must be under control of the owner or handler.  Excrement must be cleaned up immediately.

 

 

We appreciate everyone’s understanding and support.  Please contact us at the Police Department for any questions….508-487-1213.

 

 

Ted Meyer                                                                              Ruth Anne Cowing

Chief of Police                                                             Animal Control Officer