What are the laws for dogs in Hartford?

Licensing:  All dogs six months or older must be licensed in the owner's residence town and must wear a license at all times.  All dogs must have rabies vaccinations before they can be licensed.  Licenses are renewed on a yearly basis and can be obtained at the town clerk's office, 550 Main Street, Hartford, CT.  Owners of unlicensed dogs can be fined $60.00.  

Roaming:  All dog owners must keep their dogs under control at all times and not allow their dogs to stray upon any property or roam anywhere other then on the owner's land.  Owner of violating dog can be fined $77.00.

Nuisance:  Owners of dogs who are excessive barkers, who display vicious temper or cause any other disturbance will be issued an order from the Canine Control Officer to either restrain said dog or to face legal action in court, which may result in a court order to rid the premises of the dog.  Owner of violating dog can be fined $60.00.

Impounding:  Impounded dogs can be claimed at the Connecticut K-9 Kennels, 239 Maplehill Avenue, Newington, CT  Phone (860) 666-4646.  The cost for redemption of dogs by the owner is $10.00 plus $3.40 for advertisement fees and $5.00 additional per day after owner notification and newspaper advertisement of 24 hours.  Unclaimed dogs can be sold for a fee of $5.00 plus $1.00 advertisement fee.  

Failure to Redeem:  Owners who fail to redeem impounded dogs within 24 hours of receiving notification can be fined $60.00.

Failure to Vaccinate:  The owner of a dog shall vaccinate against rabies at the age of 3 months and on a yearly basis.  Failure to do so may result in a fine of $121.00.

Quarantine:  Owners of any dog that has bitten a person will be ordered to keep said dog under quarantine for a period of 14 days from the day of the bite.  While under quarantine, the dog cannot be destroyed, sold or given away and shall remain on the owner's property or boarded under safeguard in a private kennel.  

Leash Law:  No dog shall be permitted to leave the property of it's owner or keeper unless the dog has been properly fitted with and is presently wearing a proper dog leash or chain.  The owner or keeper of the dog can be fined up to $50.00. 

Waste Pickup:  Dog owners who allow their dogs to defecate upon public or private property other then their own and who fail to clean up after the dog shall be fined up to $99.00.

Dangerous Dogs:  Any dog with a propensity, tendency or disposition to attack, to cause injury to, or to otherwise endanger the safety of humans or other domestic animals, or any dog which attacks or has attacked a human being or domestic animal without provocation shall be fined $99.00.  

Personal Responsibility:  All dogs are considered personal property under the laws of the State of Connecticut and therefore any owner or keeper of a dog shall be held financially responsible for any damage or nuisance their dog might create.  

For more information please call the Animal Control Officers at (860) 543-8741.   

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