eLaws | eCases | General Laws of Massachusetts | Massachusetts Courts | Counties & Cities of Massachusetts | Code of Federal Regulations | United States Code |
 Westfield
 Code of Ordinances
 Chapter 4. ANIMALS AND FOWL
 Article II. ANIMAL CONTROL

  § 4-28. Kennel inspection and regulation.  

Latest version.

  • The animal control officer, board of health, zoning enforcement officer and/or any agent authorized by the city may, at any time during normal business hours, inspect or cause to be inspected any kennel or property holding a kennel license, residential or commercial.

    If, in their judgment, the animal control officer, board of health, zoning enforcement officer or any agent authorized by the city, after inspection determines the kennel is not being maintained in a sanitary and humane manner, or if records are not properly kept as required by law, the mayor (or his/her designee) may, by order, revoke or suspend, and in case of suspension, may reinstate such license issued under this article.

    Upon written complaint from the animal control officer or a Westfield resident, filed with the chief of police, setting forth that they are aggrieved, annoyed to an unreasonable extent, by one or more dogs at a kennel because of the excessive barking or vicious disposition of said dogs or cat or other conditions connected with such kennel constituting a public nuisance, the chief of police, (or his designee) within seven days after the filing of such petition, shall give notice to all parties in interest of a public hearing, conducted by the chief of police or his/her designee, to be held within 14 days after the date of such notice.

    Within seven days after such public hearing said chief of police (or his designee) shall make an order either revoking or suspending such kennel license or otherwise regulating said kennel, or dismissing said petition.

    The holder of such license aggrieved by any decision rendered by the chief of police (or his designee) may appeal such decision in accordance with M.G.L.A. c. 140, § 137C.

    Any person maintaining a kennel after the license has been so revoked, or while such license is so suspended, may be punished by a fine of $50.00, which shall be paid to the city treasurer, for each day in violation of said revocation or suspension.

(Ord. No. 425, 6-28-06)