York Town News
Police give information on new animal control measures from May vote
By Larry Favinger
YORK - The town's animal control officers are asking for help in finding unlicensed dogs.Larry McAfee said earlier this week that there are about 1,700 legally licensed dogs in town, but it is estimated there are at least that many that are not licensed.
He said he is often by residents of others "who they know for a fact that do not license their dogs" - but no names ever accompany that information.
He said this is not an effort to punish people with unlicensed dogs, but it is a piece of rabies management and required for public safety.
The state of Maine mandates that the municipality in which dogs are kept license them. In order to license a dog a certificate that the animal had received its rabies shot is required.
"It is the only way we can tell if a dog has had its shots," McAfee said.
The cost of licensing a neutered dog is $6, he said, and $3 of that stays in town.
Anyone with information about unlicensed dogs can call York Police Animal Control at 363-4444.
On another subject, McAfee said signs are being prepared that will be posted on the town's beaches and other areas where owners/keepers walk dogs noting the changes in the local animal control ordinance.
The ordinance, which went into effect immediately following the May Special Referendum vote, requires dog owners to have their dogs on leashes at all times with the exception of from sunrise to 8 a.m. on all beaches. During those hours the animals are to be under voice control and the owners/keeper must have a leash no longer than 15 feet in hand.
Another requirement of the new ordinance is that owners/keepers walking dogs must have in their possession a plastic bag or some other receptacle to remove animal waste wherever they are.
Informational pamphlets are also being distributed detailing the new animal regulations, such as restrictions from May 20 through Sept. 20 that include dogs being prohibited from beaches from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and dogs allowed on the beach when controlled by a maximum leash length of 15 feet from 6 p.m. to sunrise.
Year-round regulations include not allowing a dog within 10 feet of any person unless invited, carrying of a leash in hand and a waste removal bag for removal of animal waste at all times.
Horses and ponies are prohibited from the beaches from May 20 through Sept. 20.
