Current Dog Control Bylaw

Current Dog Control Bylaw in Pelham

In an effort to promote a clear and common understanding of our town’s bylaw regarding the control of dogs, the Select Board is sharing this information directly by mail with all licensed dog owners, with all Pelham residents online and in the Winter edition of the Pelham Slate newsletter.

Article 22 that passed at the 2019 Annual Town Meeting is incorporated in the relevant sections of the bylaw shown below. It is now the current Town Bylaw and it stipulates that an unleashed dog running at large beyond the boundaries of its owner’s residence is a violation of the bylaw unless the dog is in the act of training, working or hunting. Reported incidents of this and other enumerated violations are subject to fines as provided in the Fine Schedule, which was also amended at the 2019 Annual Town Meeting. While Article 23, which was defeated at the same Town Meeting, would have required that “dogs on Town property must be leashed at all times”, Pelham’s current bylaw requires that dogs be leashed when they are beyond their owner’s property (with exceptions as enumerated).  

Thus, there is a leash law in Pelham. All complaints and alleged violations should be reported to the Dog Officer, (413) 800-6280.

 

The current version of the bylaw posted in the Code of Pelham on the town website does not yet reflect updates from the Articles that passed at the 2019 Annual Town Meeting. It will be updated once the codifying process is completed. The following sections of the Animal Control Bylaw relevant to dog control incorporate the changes approved at the 2019 Annual Town Meeting.

§ 5-3 Purpose.

The town requires that all dog owners keep their dogs under control at all times for the purpose of protecting people and animals from injury, protecting property from damage and preventing dog-related

nuisances. The Town further requires any dog for which one formal complaint has been filed be kept under the owners/guardians or keepers leash control at all times on town property.

§ 5-7 Violations enumerated.

Any owner who allows his/her dog to do any of the following will be considered in violation of this article:

A.  Unlicensed dog: a dog six months or older, which is unlicensed or not relicensed by May 31 each year.

B.  Running at large: to go beyond the boundaries of the owner's residence unless the dog is under leash control; however, dogs in the act of training, working or hunting are excepted.

C. To chase a pedestrian, bicycle or any other vehicle.

D. To bark excessively during the day or to bark between 10:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. so as to disturb the reasonable quiet of the neighborhood. 

E. Worrying livestock: to worry, injure or kill another's livestock, fowl or pet.

F. Vicious dog: to menace, attack or bite a person without provocation.

§ 5-18. Fine Schedule.

Dog Control Bylaw Fine Schedule

 First OffenseSecond OffenseThird Offense
Failure to License$25$50$75
Failure to have Kennel License$25$50$75
Running At Large$25$50$75
Chasing Offense$25$50$75
Excessive Barking$25$50$75 
Removal of Dog Waste$25$50$75
Worrying Domestic Animals$25$50$75
Vicious Dog$25$50$75
Inhumane$50$75$100

Thank you for your attention to this important matter.

Pelham Select Board

Robert Agoglia, Chair     David Shanabrook, Vice-Chair      Tara Loomis, Clerk