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Updated through the 2005 Supplementary Pamphlet
Chapter 1 - Animal Control Law
Chapter 2 - Security Gate Project
Section 1. Tribal Animal Control Officer
The designated animal control officer shall make or cause to be made a list of all dogs and cats belonging to any member of said Tribe, and all other persons owning or caring for dogs or cats residing on said Mashantucket Pequot Reservation.
The animal control officer shall be empowered to enforce the provisions of this law. The animal control officer may lawfully take charge of any animal that he finds to be in violation of this law. Such officer may, in his discretion, transport any animal found to be in violation of any provision of this law to a dog pound, veterinarian, or animal shelter and the owner thereof shall be responsible for all charges associated with the shelter and or treatment of the animal.
The animal control officer shall be empowered to issue a citation to any owner or keeper of an animal who is in violation of this law or who otherwise fails to comply with the requirements of this law.
Section 2. Dog and Cats to be Licensed - Fee and General Provisions
Each member of the Mashantucket Pequot Tribe and all other persons residing on the Mashantucket Pequot Reservation who own, keep, or have in their possession a dog or cat of more than three months old shall immediately license the animal.
The owner of such licensed dog or cat shall keep around its neck, a collar distinctly marked with the owners name, and the dog(s) or cat(s) registration number.
No dog or cat shall be licensed until the owner of the said dog or cat shows proof of rabies inoculation. The first rabies inoculation for the animal is valid for one year. Subsequent boosters will be valid for three years. All dogs and cats must be vaccinated against rabies by three months of age. Rabies inoculations must be kept current. A permanent license will be issued for the animal and will only be valid as long as it is accompanied by a valid rabies certificate.
Any person who owns a dog or cat and who fails to inoculate the animal within 10 days of acquiring it shall, in addition to any penalty provided by this law requiring licensing, be fined $150.
Any animal who the animal control officer suspects of being rabid shall immediately be impounded in a facility approved by the Public Safety Committee and shall be subject to the provisions of the Connecticut General Statutes relating to the control of rabies.
Any member of said Tribe and all other persons residing on said reservation who becomes owner or keeper of a dog or cat which is not duly licensed shall be fined $25 for the first offense and $50 for the second offense.
Section 3. Tribal Clerk to Provide License and Tags
a. Each person shall receive from the tribal clerk a permanent license on a form prescribed by the Tribal Council, said license shall contain a description of the dog or cat and the number under which such dog or cat is licensed and the tribal clerk shall issue to such person a tag-plate prescribed by the Tribal Council which shall contain the name of the reservation and a license number.
b. The clerk shall charge $15 for each license to be issued pursuant to this Section.
Section 4. Barking and/or Howling Dogs
No person shall own, keep, or harbor any dog which by loud, frequent or habitual barking, howling or yelping shall disturb the peace of any person. Violation of any provision of this Section shall be fined not more than $75.
No person shall own or harbor a dog which is a nuisance by reason of a vicious disposition.
Any person who is in violation of this Section shall be subject to a fine of $75.
Section 5. Leash Law
It shall be unlawful for any person owning or having charge of any animal to permit such animal to run at large, unless such animal is restrained by a leash not to exceed six feet in length and is in charge of a person competent to restrain such animal.
Every female dog or cat in heat shall be confined in a building or secure enclosure in such a manner that such animal cannot come into contact with another dog or cat except for planned breeding. Any person permitting a female dog or cat in heat to run at large shall be fined $25.
Section 6. Animals Roaming at Large
No owner or keeper of any animal shall allow such animal to roam at large upon the land of another person. The unauthorized presence of any animal on the land of any person other than the owner or keeper of such animal or on any portion of a public road when such is not attended by or under the control of such owner or keeper, shall be prima facie evidence of a violation of provisions of this Section. "At Large" means off the premises of the owner and not under the control of any person by means of personal presence and attention as will reasonably control the conduct of such animal.
The designated animal control officer shall make diligent search and inquiry for any violation of this provision and may take into custody any animal found roaming in violation of this provision. Such animal shall than be impounded at an approved facility. If the owner or keeper is known they shall be notified immediately. An impoundment fee of $10 will be charged for the release of the animal. If the owner or keeper is unknown a description of such animal shall be published in the lost and found column of a newspaper having circulation in the area. If such animal is not claimed by and released to the owner within seven days after the date of publication, the animal control officer may sell such animal to any person who satisfies the animal control officer that he is purchasing it as a pet and that he can give it a good home and proper care. A fee of $5 will be charged for the sale of the animal. If any animal is not claimed by and released to the owner or purchased as a pet, the animal control officer may cause such animal to be mercifully killed by a licensed veterinarian.
In addition to seizing and impounding the animal, the animal control officer may bring suit against the owner of an animal which is found roaming at large, and such owner shall be subject to a civil forfeiture of not less than $25 and not more than $100 for the first offense.
Owner means any person or persons, firm, association, or corporation owning, keeping, or harboring an animal. The owner shall maintain a clean and sanitary area where the animal is housed. The animal control officer may issue such orders as deemed necessary to correct any unsafe and unsanitary condition after receiving a complaint and after notifying such person.
Section 7. Cruelty to Animals
Any person who tortures, wounds, mutilates, beats, kills, or otherwise unjustifiably injures any animal or inflicts cruelty upon it or if a minor child, his/her parent or guardian shall be subject to a civil penalty not to exceed $1,000.
Any person who, having impounded or confined any animal, fails to give such animal proper care or fails to supply any such animal with proper food, drink or protection from the weather or abandons it shall be subject to a civil penalty not to exceed $1,000.
Any person who unjustifiably administers any poisonous or noxious drug or substance to any domestic animal or unjustifiably exposes any such drug or substance, with intent that the same shall be taken by an animal, or causes it to be done, shall be subject to a civil penalty not to exceed $1,000.
The animal control officer and any member of the tribal police may interfere to prevent any act of cruelty upon any dog or other animal, and any person who interferes with or obstructs or resists such officer in the discharge of such duty shall be subject to a civil penalty not to exceed $500.
The provisions of this Section shall not apply to any licensed veterinarian while following accepted standards of practice of the profession, to any member of the tribal police while lawfully acting within the scope of their duties, to any person acting pursuant to Section 8 of this law or to any person while lawfully engaged in the taking of wildlife.
Section 8. Fighting Animals for Amusement or Gain
a. Any person may lawfully kill or injure an animal provided that such animal has suddenly and without provocation assaulted him or another person. The force used shall be the minimum amount necessary to stop the assault.
b. Any person who knowingly 1) owns, possesses, keeps, or trains an animal engaged in an exhibition of fighting for amusement or gain, 2) possesses, keeps, or trains an animal with the intent that it be engaged in an exhibition of fighting for amusement or gain, 3) permits an act described in this subsection to take place on premises under his control, 4) acts as judge or spectator at an exhibition of animals fighting for amusement or gain, or 5) bets or wagers on the outcome of an exhibition of animal fighting for amusement or gain, shall be subject to a civil penalty not to exceed $1,000.
c. Any person who knowingly permits an animal who has been trained or who has engaged in an exhibition of fighting for amusement or gain or any animal who has participated in an exhibition of fighting for amusement or gain to roam or who has been found to be in violation of Section 5 of this law shall be strictly liable for the damage caused by such animal and the court shall have discretion to award triple the amount of such damage.
Section 9. Complaints of Vicious Dogs
a. Whoever is assaulted by a dog, or whose own dog or cat is attacked by a dog, may within four days thereafter, make a written complaint to the animal control officer who shall investigate the said complaint. Upon the finding of just cause for the said complaint, the animal control officer shall file a written report with the office of the tribal prosecutor who shall, within 10 days of receipt of the report, file a complaint with the tribal court. The tribal prosecutor shall cause the owner of the vicious dog to be served with a complaint if the tribal prosecutor believes, or has reason to believe, that said dog is dangerous and/or vicious. If after hearing, the tribal court is satisfied that the complaint is true, the court shall order the destruction of the dog at the owner's expense, or if a minor child, at the parents' or guardian's expense.
b. If an animal is found to be vicious under this Section and/or Section 10, its owner or keeper, or if a minor child, his/her parent or guardian, may be fined up to $500 and shall be liable for any injuries to person or animal caused by the vicious dog.
Section 10. Quarantine of Biting Animals
a. Duty to Report. When any person or animal is bitten or shows visible evidence of attack by an animal, it shall be the duty of such person or, if a minor child, his/her parent or guardian, and the owner or keeper of the animal, to immediately notify the animal control officer of the incident.
b. Quarantine of Animals. Any animal which has bitten shall be placed into quarantine for a period of 14 days. If the owner of the animal is known, the quarantine may take place on the owner's property providing that they are able to comply with the quarantine instructions. Failure to comply will result in the seizure of the animal for the remainder of the quarantine period and the owner, agent or keeper of the animal shall be subject to the general penalties provision. If the owner of the animal is unknown, the quarantine shall take place at an approved by the Public Safety Committee facility.
Section 11. Safety Provisions
a. Interference with the animal control officer or the animal control officer's representatives: No one shall interfere with, molest, hinder, or prevent the animal control officer or the animal control officer's representatives in the discharge of their duties as herein prescribed or to violate any of the provisions of this Law.
b. Penalty for violations: Unless otherwise provided in this Law, any person who violates any of the provisions of this Law shall be fined no less than $50 nor more than $200.
c. Any person who intentionally kills or injures any animal while such animal is in the performance of its duties under the supervision of a member of the tribal police shall be subject to a civil penalty not to exceed $500. In addition to the said penalty, in the event the animal is killed or injured so badly that it is not able to continue its duties, the person who killed or injured the animal shall pay all costs associated with caring for and/or replacing the animal.
CHAPTER 2. SECURITY GATE PROJECT
Section 1.
The Tribal Council has enacted the security gate procedures for the use of the security gate system on the Mashantucket Pequot Reservation and it is also necessary to establish fines for violations of the security gate system.
Pursuant to the civil regulatory power of the Mashantucket Pequot Tribe, the following regulations, fines, and penalties shall apply to the Mashantucket Pequot Security Gate Procedures:
a. No person may loan or otherwise voluntarily cause to make a security pass available to an unauthorized person. Violation of the provisions of this Section shall be an infraction punishable by a fine of $250.
b. No person may assist the entry of an unauthorized automobile through any security gate. Violation of the provision of this Section shall be an infraction punishable by a fine of $250.
c. No person may damage any security gate. Violation of the provision of this Section shall be an infraction punishable by a minimum fine of $500. In addition, any person in violation of this Section may be required to reimburse the Tribe for the cost of any repair to the damaged gate.