The dog ordinance was created due to the complaints of those who didn't want to step in dog poop on the beaches.
TOWN OF SWAN'S ISLAND
CONTROL OF DOGS
Chapter 1
Article 1
Section 1. Definitions:
As used in this ordinance
a) “Dog” shall be intended to mean both male and female.
b) “Owner” shall be intended to mean any person or persons, firm, association or corporation owning, keeping, or harboring a dog.
c) “At large” shall be intended to mean off the premises of the owner, and not under control of the owner or a member of his immediate family either by leash, cord, chain, or otherwise.
Section 2.Running at Large
No person shall cause or permit any dog owned or kept by him to run at large within the Town of Swan’s Island. A dog while on any public way or place shall be under restraint within the meaning of this ordinance, if he is controlled by a leash, or at “heel”, beside a competent person and obedient to that person’s commands or on or within a vehicle being driven or parked on a public way or within the property limits of his owner or keeper. Nothing in this ordinance shall be held to require the leashing of any dog while on private premises. A leash shall not be more than 7 feet long.
Section 3. Penalty
Whoever allows a dog to run at large contrary to the provisions of this ordinance shall be punished by a fine of not more than $25.00 to be recovered by complaint before the Maine District Court in the County of Hancock, State of Maine
Section 4. Beaches
Dogs are not allowed on Fine Sand and Carrying Places beaches from June 15 to September 15 from 9:00 AM until 5:00 PM.
I hereby attest that this is a true copy of the Swans Island Dog Control Ordinance, as amended March 1, 2010.
Gwen J. May
Town Clerk