10/19/2009 Annual Town Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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Motion-, I move the Town vote to approve Article 16 as printed in the warrant with the exception of the phrase "or take any other action relating thereto". Motion passes unanimously at 7:46PM Article 17 Proposed Pit Bull Regulation Town of Mashpee Section 1. Purpose Dogs known as "pit bulls" have generally-exhibited traits such as (i) powerful instincts for dominance which naturally result in a proclivity for fighting; (ii) a strong prey drive, which inspires a natural chase instinct that often results in their aggressive pursuit of cats, rabbits, other dogs, and human children; (iii) a stubbornness that results in sustained, unyielding aggressiveness once an attack begins; (iv) powerful jaws capable of crushing bones and hanging on to victims even while the animal withstands infliction of injury or pain; and, (v) a combination of stamina, agility, strength, and "gameness" (the will to successfully complete a task). Judicial and legislative bodies have reacted by noting that the classification of pit bulls as dangerous animals has a rational basis in fact and that adopting controlling measures in order to reduce the likelihood of human. injury bears a rational relationship to the governmental objectives of preserving public health, public safety, and public welfare. The Town of Mashpee believes it is necessary to regulate, subject to certain exceptions with certain restrictions, pit bulls in order to fulfill its primary mandate to protect human health, safety, and welfare within the Town. Section 2. Definitions PIT BULL — Any dog that is an American Pit Bull Terrine, American Staffordshire Terrie, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, or any dog of mixed breed displaying the majority of the physical traits of any one (1) or more of the above breeds, or any dog exhibiting those distinguishing characteristics which substantially conform to the standards established by the American Kennel Club or United Kennel Club for any of the above breeds, such characteristics being identifiable as an element of its breeding by a licensed veterinarian, by the animal control officer, or by any other qualified person, or any dog registered or licensed as a pit bull. Specifically excepted from this definition is any dog with proof by American Kennel Club or United Kennel Club papers or by a written certification or written notice from a veterinarian licensed in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts that the dog does not contain in its lineage any American Pit Bull terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, or Staffordshire Bull Terrier. As per an animal DNA lineage test TOWN— The Town of Mashpee OWNER — Any person who owns, possesses, keeps, exercises control over, maintains, harbors, transports, or sells a pit bull: KEEPER — Any person who possesses, keeps, exercise control over, maintains, harbors, transports, or sells a pit bull whether or not that person is an owner; HOUSEHOLD — All persons residing in one dwelling unit in the Town of Mashpee whether such persons are related by blood or by marriage or are unrelated. 13