Chicopee, Massachusetts

§ 144-1 Definitions.

As used in this chapter, the following terms shall mean:

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KENNEL

Any premises wherein any person, partnership or corporation engages in the business of boarding, breeding, buying, letting for hire, training for a fee or selling dogs, or engages in training dogs for guard or sentry purposes or every pack or collection of more than three dogs three months old or over owned or kept on a single premises, irrespective of the purpose for which they are maintained.

§ 144-2 Permit required for commercial animal establishments and animal shelters.

A. No person, partnership or corporation shall operate a commercial animal establishment or animal shelter without first obtaining a permit in compliance with this chapter.

B. The City shall promulgate regulations for the issuance of permits and shall include requirements for humane care of all animals and for compliance with the provisions of this chapter and other applicable laws. The City may amend such regulations from time to time as is deemed desirable for public health and welfare and for the protection of animals.

C. Upon showing by an applicant for a permit that he is willing and able to comply with the regulations promulgated by the City, a permit shall be issued upon payment of the applicable fee.

D. The permit period shall begin April 1 and shall run for one year. Renewal applications for permits shall be made 30 days prior to and up to 30 days after April 1. Application for a permit to establish a new commercial animal establishment under the provisions of this chapter may be made at any time.

E. If there is a change in ownership of a commercial animal establishment, the new owner may have the current permit transferred to his name upon payment of a transfer fee of $25; provided, however, that the new owner must comply with Subsection C of this section.

F. Annual permits shall be issued upon payment of the applicable fee after inspection by the proper authority:

(1) For each kennel authorized to house four dogs or fewer: $50.

(2) For each kennel authorized to house 10 dogs or fewer: $75.

(3) For each kennel authorized to house more than 10 dogs: $100.

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G. Every facility at a different address regulated by this chapter shall be considered a separate enterprise and requires an individual permit.

H. Failure to obtain a permit before opening any facility covered in this chapter or failure to obtain said license by April 1 of each year shall result in a fine of up to $200.

I. Any person or facility which has a change in the category under which a permit was issued shall be subject to reclassification, and appropriate adjustment of the permit fee shall be made.

J. No fee may be required of any veterinary hospital, clinic, animal shelter or government-operated facility.

§ 144-3 License and permit issuance.

A.It shall be a condition of the issuance of any permit or license that the City or designated agents or any special police officer appointed under MGL c. 147, § 10 (c. 147, § 10, since repealed), or the inspector of animals appointed under MGL c. 129, §§ 15 and 16 be permitted to inspect all animals and the premises where animals are kept at any time, and, if permission for such inspections is refused, the agent shall seek a search warrant to enter and inspect the property.

B. If the applicant has withheld or falsified any information on the application, the City may notify the licensing authority who may refuse to issue, suspend or revoke a permit or license.

C. Any person who has been convicted of cruelty to animals may not be issued a permit or license to operate a commercial animal establishment for a period of five years.

D. Any person having been denied a license or permit may reapply after conditions have been corrected upon which denial was based. Each reapplication shall be accompanied by a fee of $25.

E. Any person whose permit or license is revoked shall, within 10 days thereafter, be responsible for the placement or humane disposal of all animals, kept or harbored, and no part of the permit or license fee shall be refunded. Failure to place or humanely dispose of any animal kept or harbored shall result in a fine of up to $200.

§ 144-20 Licensing of dogs.

A. Any person owning, keeping, harboring or having custody of any dog over three months of age within this City must obtain a license as provided in this chapter.

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J. A license shall be issued after payment of the applicable fee:

(1) For each dog under the age of one year old: $5.

(2) For each unneutered male dog one year old or older: $25.

(3) For each neutered male dog one year old or older: $5.

(4) For each unspayed female dog one year old or older: $25.

(5) For each spayed female dog one year of older: $5.

§ 144-22 Sterilization of dogs released for adoption.

No unclaimed dog shall be released for adoption without being sterilized or without written agreement from the adopter guaranteeing that such animal will be sterilized, and a deposit of at least $35 must be paid at the time of adoption, $25 to be refunded after proof of sterilization.