Animal Control Ordinance

REGULATION OF HORSES, FARM ANIMALS AND POULTRY

TOWN OF FREMONT

Pursuant to the authority conferred by the New Hampshire Revised Statutes Annotated Chapter 31:39, I (b) in order to promote the general welfare of the citizens of the Town of Fremont, the following Ordinance is hereby enacted:

SECTION 001.  REGULATION

1.1  It shall be unlawful for the owner or keeper of any horse, farm animal or poultry to either willfully or negligently allow such animal to run at large in public places.  “Run at large” shall be construed to mean off the property of the owner or keeper and not under the control of the owner or keeper by leash, cord, chain, or otherwise.

1.2  Any horse, farm animal or poultry found in a public place, and not under the control of its owner or keeper, may be taken into custody by the Fremont Animal Control Officer or a Fremont Police Officer. The Officer shall make reasonable efforts to notify the owner or keeper of the animal, before seizing it.

1.3  Any horse, farm animal or poultry that is seized by the Fremont Animal Control Officer or a Fremont Police Officer in a public place, where the owner or keeper cannot be identified or located, shall be held by the Town at a Town approved facility.  The owner or keeper of the animals shall be responsible for all damages and expenses incurred in the capturing, transporting and holding of the escaped animal, boarding costs, and any medical care required by the holding facility.

SECTION 002.   PENALTIES

2.1. Any owner or keeper of a horse, farm animal or poultry who willfully or negligently permits such animals to run at large in public places, may be subject to a penalty not exceeding $1,000 for each offense.  Any fine or penalty collected under this Ordinance shall be paid to the Town of Fremont.

2.2. In addition to any penalty, in conjunction with any penalty, or as an alternative to any penalty imposed under this Ordinance, the Town of Fremont may request that the Court require the owner or keeper of the horse, farm animal or poultry which has been impounded for running at large, to pay for the boarding and impoundment fees established by the animal shelter or holding facility and any reasonably necessary medical expenses incurred during the impoundment of the animal regardless of whether the owner or keeper retrieves the animal.

This Ordinance adopted by voters at Fremont Town Meeting 11 March 2014.