2009-2742009-274
Resolution Initiating a Dog Enumeration Program and Temporary Fine and Civil Penalty
Amnesty Period for the Town of Wappinger
At a regular meeting of the Town Board of the Town of Wappinger, Dutchess County,
New York, held at Town Hall, 20 Middlebush Road, Wappingers Falls, New York, on
September 14, 2009.
The meeting was called to order by Christopher Colsey, Supervisor, and upon roll being
called, the following were present:
PRESENT: Supervisor
Councilmembers
ABSENT:
Christopher J. Colsey
William H. Beale (arrived at 7:05 PM)
Vincent F. Bettina
Maureen McCarthy (departed 10:13PM)
Joseph P. Paoloni
The following Resolution was introduced by Councilman Beale and seconded by
Councilman Bettina.
WHEREAS, the Town of Wappinger employs a Dog Control Officer charged with
providing resident and enforcement services to the Town of Wappingers and
WHEREAS, the State of New York Department of Agriculture and Markets requires every
dog, regardless of age, owned or harbored in New York State for longer than 30 days to be licensed
in the town, city or village where the dog is being harbored, through Article 7 of the Agriculture &
Markets Law (Chapters 220 & 221, Laws of 1978), relating to licensing, identification and control of
dogs and animal population control program; and
WHEREAS, a valid license indicates the current status of necessary vaccinations that are
deemed beneficial to the public; and
WHEREAS, the failure to maintain a valid license is considered an irresponsible act
potentially affecting the health and welfare of the public at large and should be deemed a finable
administrative offense; and
WHEREAS, through Article 7, the local dog control officer must institute action for
violations of both state and local laws. Fines or civil penalties shall be up to $25 for the first
offense, $50 for the second and $100 for the third and subsequent offenses; and
WHEREAS, the Town Board, in an interest to encourage the licensure of every dog in
the Town of Wappinger, hereby adopts the provisions of Article 7, in respect to fines and civil
penalties as part of the Town of Wappinger Fee Schedule, for a failure to license a dog in
accordance with the provisions of Article 7, as applicable through the Dog Control Officer or the
Town Clerk; and
WHEREAS, in an effort to encourage responsible dog ownership and care, the Town of
Wappinger Town Board hereby determines the provisions of the fines and civil penalties to become
effective January 1, 2010, thereby providing a period of amnesty, and
WHEREAS, in a further effort to encourage responsible dog ownership and care, the
Town Board authorizes public communication through the following methods:
• Town -wide census of dogs as undertaken by the Dog Control Officer
• The enlistment of volunteers to provide supporting census efforts
• Addition of educational flyers in the sewer and water bill mailings
• Educational advertisement in the local print media
• Postings on the Town of Wappinger website and Cablevision Channel 22.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED:
1. The recitations above set forth are incorporated in this Resolution as if fully set
forth and adopted herein.
2. The Town Board hereby directs the Town Attorney to produce all materials
necessary to affect the Town Code of the Town of Wappinger in respect to the
provisions of the fines and civil penalties in accordance with Article 7 and the Town
of Wappinger Fee Schedule.
3. The Town Board hereby directs the Dog Control Officer to undertake a campaign of
dog enumeration, with targeted completion of April 1, 2010. The Town Board also
authorizes the Dog Control Officer to enlist the services of volunteer participants in
this effort and to provide Community Service credit to any student, person or
organization for which such credit is requested or necessary.
4. The Town Board hereby directs the Legislative Aid to produce media and
educational communications for the purpose of postings and advertisements.
The foregoing was put to a vote which resulted as follows:
CHRISTOPHER COLSEY, SUPERVISOR
Voting:
AYE
WILLIAM H. BEALE, COUNCILMAN
Voting:
AYE
VINCENT F. BETTINA, COUNCILMAN
Voting:
AYE
MAUREEN McCARTHY, COUNCILWOMAN
Voting:
AYE
JOSEPH P. PAOLONI, COUNCILMAN
Voting:
AYE
Dated: Wappingers Falls, New York
9/14/2009
The Resolution is hereby duly declared adopted.
FHN M STERSON, TOWN CLERK