Bolton, Massachusetts

§ 110-2 Definitions.

For the purposes of this bylaw, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:

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PERSONAL KENNEL

A pack or collection of more than four dogs, three months old or older, owned or kept under single ownership for private personal use; provided, however, that breeding of personally owned dogs may take place for the purpose of improving, exhibiting or showing the breed or for use in legal sporting activity or for other personal reasons; provided, further, that selling, trading, bartering or distributing such breeding from a personal kennel shall be to other breeders or individuals by private sale only and not to wholesalers, brokers or pet shops; provided, further, that a personal kennel shall not sell, trade, or barter or distribute a dog not bred from its personally owned dog; and provided, further, that dogs temporarily housed at a personal kennel, in conjunction with an animal shelter or rescue registered with the department, may be sold, traded, bartered or distributed if the transfer is not for profit.

§ 110-4 Licenses required.

Every person owning or keeping a dog that is six months old or older shall obtain a dog license from the Town Clerk, and every person maintaining a kennel shall obtain a kennel license from the Town Clerk, as required by MGL c. 140, §§ 137 and 137A. Every such dog and kennel license shall be valid for one year beginning on April 1 and ending on March 31. Each license shall contain the name, address, and telephone number of the owner or keeper of the dog, and such other information as the Town Clerk deems appropriate; in addition, each kennel license shall include the number of dogs maintained in the kennel. Each license shall be issued upon the condition that the owner or keeper shall comply with the provisions of this bylaw and any law, rule, or regulation relating to the ownership and control of dogs.

§ 110-6 Kennel maintenance.

Every holder of a kennel license shall maintain the kennel in a sanitary and humane manner, and shall keep a record of all dogs kept in the kennel, including their license numbers.

§ 110-7 Kennel inspections.

The Select Board, the Chief of Police, or the Animal Control Officer, or their designees, may at any time inspect, or cause to be inspected, any kennel licensed under these kennel provisions, and if, in their judgment, the kennel is not being maintained in a sanitary or humane manner, or if records are not properly kept as required by this bylaw or other applicable law, or if the kennel is in violation of any provision of this Article I, the Select Board shall by order revoke or suspend, and, in the case of suspension, may reinstate, such license.