Groton, Massachusetts

§ 128-4 License required, penalty.

A. Pursuant to Chapter 140, § 173, of the Massachusetts General Laws, any person who fails to register, number, describe and license his or her dog annually by January 1 in the Town of Groton, Middlesex County, and pay the fees and charges under rules and regulations pursuant to Chapter 140, § 139 will be required to pay to the Town of Groton a penalty after the last day of February annually, in accordance with a Fee/Fine Schedule established by the Select Board. By virtue of the Town’s acceptance of the applicable provision of Section 139 of Chapter 140 of the General Laws, no fee shall be charged for a license for a dog owned by a person aged 70 years or over, unless the dog is identified as a dangerous dog.

§ 128-5 Violations and penalties.

B. The owner of any dog which is in violation of § 128-2 may be subject to this penalty whether such dog is in the custody of the Animal Control Officer or not. As an alternative to criminal prosecution, the Animal Control Officer and Town police officers, as enforcing persons under this chapter, may enforce this chapter and orders issued hereunder pursuant to the noncriminal disposition statute, MGL c. 40, § 21D and the Town Code, Chapter 1, Article I, § 1-4B(2). When so enforced, the fines shall be as follows:

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(3) Annual dog licensing fee (between January 1 and February 28).

(a) Neutered or spayed dogs: $10.

(b)Unaltered dogs: $15.