Sec. 22-333. Redemption of impounded dog, cat or other animal. Any dog, cat
or other animal captured or impounded under the provisions of this chapter shall be
redeemed by the owner or keeper thereof, or the agent of such owner or keeper, upon
proper identification, and, if the animal in question is a dog, upon presentation to the
municipal animal control officer of a license and tag for such dog, and upon the payment
by such owner or keeper or his agent of (1) the redemption fee established by the municipality, which shall not exceed fifteen dollars, and (2) the cost of advertising incurred
under the provisions of section 22-332; provided no dog, cat or other animal seized for
doing damage under the provisions of section 22-355 shall be released except upon
written order of the commissioner, the Chief Animal Control Officer or an animal control
officer. When the owner or keeper of any such impounded dog, cat or other animal
fails to redeem such dog, cat or other animal within twenty-four hours after receiving
notification to do so, or, where the owner was unknown, within twenty-four hours after
notification was effected by means of publication in a newspaper, such owner or keeper
shall pay, in addition to such redemption fee and the cost of advertising, the amount
determined by the municipality to be the full cost of detention and care of such impounded dog, cat or other animal. The owner or keeper of any dog, cat or other animal
impounded for the purposes of quarantine, as set forth in sections 22-358 and 22-359,
shall pay the amount determined by the municipality to be the full cost of detention and
care of such quarantined animal. In addition, any owner or keeper of any such impounded
dog, cat or other animal who fails to redeem such dog, cat or other animal within one
hundred twenty hours after receiving notification to do so shall have committed an
infraction. The legislative body of the municipality shall set any fees imposed by the
municipality under this section.
(1949 Rev., S. 3380; 1951, S. 711b; 1953, 1955, S. 1818d; 1963, P.A. 613, S. 6; 1969, P.A. 36; 81, S. 4; 1971, P.A.
14; P.A. 75-401, S. 1, 2; P.A. 79-290, S. 1; P.A. 82-323, S. 2; P.A. 86-284; P.A. 91-59, S. 8; P.A. 93-435, S. 36, 95; P.A.
98-12, S. 11, 22; P.A. 02-14, S. 1; P.A. 03-123, S. 2; P.A. 04-257, S. 41.)
History: 1963 act replaced references to redeeming of dogs by owners with references to release of dogs to owners,
required proper identification as condition of release and raised fee to be paid for release from four to five dollars; 1969
acts replaced references to release of dogs with references to redemption of dogs and replaced references to wardens with
references to canine control officers where necessary; 1971 act added provision allowing additional charge of two dollars
per day when owner fails to redeem dog within twenty-four hours of notification or publication of newspaper notice; P.A.
75-401 increased redemption fee to ten dollars and additional fee for failure to claim dog within twenty-four hours to three
dollars per day; P.A. 79-290 raised additional charge to five dollars per day and made failure to redeem dog within one
hundred twenty hours of notification an infraction; P.A. 82-323 inserted an ascending scale of redemption fees, i.e. fifteen
dollars for second redemption and twenty dollars for third and succeeding redemptions; P.A. 86-284 replaced sliding scale
of fees for redemption of impounded dogs based on the number of times the dog has been impounded with a fee established
by the municipality and authorized municipalities to charge for the full cost of the dog's care where previously a maximum
charge of five dollars per day was allowed; P.A. 91-59 replaced reference to "local dog warden" with reference to "municipal
animal control officer"; P.A. 93-435 made certain technical and grammatical revisions, effective June 28, 1993; P.A. 98-12 changed "canine control officer" to "animal control officer", effective July 1, 1998; P.A. 02-14 added "cat or other
animal" and requirement that the owner pay municipality for costs of quarantined animal, effective July 1, 2002; P.A. 03-123 made technical changes, effective June 26, 2003; P.A. 04-257 made a technical change, effective June 14, 2004.
Sec. 22-334. Municipal animal control officer's fees. On or before the tenth day
of each month, each municipal animal control officer shall present to the chief administrative officer of the town a sworn statement of the services rendered by the municipal
animal control officer in the performance of official duties during the previous month.
The commissioner shall provide the forms for such statements and a copy of each such
statement shall be forwarded to the commissioner by the chief administrative officer
promptly upon receipt. Upon presentation of such statement, each municipal animal
control officer, other than an officer employed on a salary basis, shall be paid by such
city or town from the dog fund account (1) five dollars for each dog returned to its owner
or sold as a pet and four dollars for each dog captured, impounded and killed, or otherwise
disposed of as provided in this chapter, (2) such expenses as the appointing authority
may approve and (3) such other remuneration as the officers having jurisdiction thereof
direct. Each municipal animal control officer employed on a salary basis shall be paid,
in addition to a regular salary, a bonus of one dollar for each dog returned to its owner
or sold as a pet. Each municipal animal control officer shall pay to the town treasurer
or other fiscal officer for deposit in the dog fund account all moneys received by the
officer in the performance of official duties. Each regional animal control officer shall
pay to the commissioner for deposit with the State Treasurer all such moneys received
by the officer. Such moneys shall be deposited in the dog fund account and credited to
the town from which it was collected for purposes of payment of the amount due under
subsection (b) of section 22-331a.
(1949 Rev., S. 3381; 1951, S. 712b; 1953, S. 1819d; 1957, P.A. 440, S. 1; 1963, P.A. 613, S. 7; 1969, P.A. 81, S. 4;
P.A. 79-290, S. 2, 5; P.A. 82-101, S. 1, 3; P.A. 87-231, S. 1, 2; P.A. 91-59, S. 9; P.A. 93-435, S. 37, 95.)
History: 1963 act rephrased and clarified provisions generally, distinguished between wardens employed on salary
basis and those not so employed in terms of payments for dogs returned to owners, sold as pets, etc., differentiated between
amounts paid for dogs returned or adopted and those otherwise disposed of, raising payments for those adopted or returned
from four to five dollars, required regional warden to pay moneys received by him to state treasurer and added other
references to regional wardens and substituted "dog fund account" for "dog fund license account"; 1969 act replaced
references to wardens with references to canine control officers where appropriate; P.A. 79-290 changed date for conducting
special surveys re unlicensed dogs from "after August first" to "after July first"; P.A. 82-101 amended the section to make
technical revisions and to delete the requirement for an annual survey for unlicensed dogs; P.A. 87-231 required that towns
pay dog wardens one dollar for dogs licensed after being found unlicensed in a survey and added provision requiring that
moneys deposited in dog fund account be credited to town from which collected; P.A. 91-59 replaced references to "local
dog warden" with references to "municipal animal control officer"; P.A. 93-435 made certain technical and grammatical
revisions, effective June 28, 1993.
See Sec. 22-349 re impoundment of unlicensed dogs and penalty for owning or keeping unlicensed or impounded dog.
Sec. 22-335. Removal of municipal animal control officer. Complaint against
municipal animal control officer. Any municipal animal control officer may be removed by the authority which appointed him or by the commissioner, and a successor
may be appointed by such authority or commissioner. Any owner of a dog or cat aggrieved by the taking of such dog or cat by a municipal animal control officer may make
complaint to the appointing authority of such municipal animal control officer or to the
commissioner; and if, upon investigation of the complaint, the authority or the commissioner finds that the municipal animal control officer took the dog or cat otherwise than
in accordance with the provisions of this chapter, or abused or cruelly treated the dog or
cat, the authority or the commissioner may remove the officer and appoint his successor.
(1949 Rev., S. 3382; 1953, S. 1820d; P.A. 91-59, S. 10; P.A. 93-435, S. 38, 95; P.A. 96-243, S. 4.)
History: P.A. 91-59 replaced reference to "local dog warden" with reference to "municipal animal control officer";
P.A. 93-435 made certain technical and grammatical revisions, effective June 28, 1993; P.A. 96-243 added cats to coverage
of this section.
Sec. 22-336. Towns to provide pounds or other suitable facilities. Regulations.
Enforcement. Each city or town, other than towns participating in a regional dog pound,
shall (1) provide and maintain for use as a dog pound a suitable building, which shall
be made comfortable for the detention and care of dogs and kept in a sanitary condition,
or (2) provide, through written agreement, for the detention and care of impounded dogs
by a licensed veterinarian, or in a licensed veterinary hospital, licensed commercial
kennel, a dog pound maintained by another city or town, or other suitable facility approved by the commissioner. Any city or town may provide for the use of such building
or facility to shelter other animals which are found injured, mistreated or roaming in a
manner which endangers the animal or the public. The commissioner may adopt regulations, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, concerning the construction and
maintenance of dog pounds or other facilities where impounded dogs are kept, and the
care, handling and transportation of dogs by municipal animal control officers. The
commissioner may inspect any dog pound or other facility where impounded dogs are
kept and may issue such orders as he deems necessary to correct any improper conditions
found to exist. If such orders are not complied with, the commissioner may request the
Attorney General to bring an action for their enforcement, including suit for an injunction
in the judicial district in which the dog pound or facility is located.
(1949 Rev., S. 3383; 1953, 1955, S. 1821d; 1963, P.A. 613, S. 8; P.A. 80-211, S. 1; P.A. 82-119, S. 2; P.A. 91-59, S.
11; P.A. 93-162; 93-435, S. 39, 95.)
History: 1963 act excepted towns participating in regional dog pounds from compliance with provisions and empowered
commissioner to make regulations re dog pounds, etc.; P.A. 80-211 added provisions re alternate arrangements for detention
and care of impounded dogs, i.e. through veterinarian, commercial kennel, etc; P.A. 82-119 authorized the commissioner
to request the attorney general to bring enforcement actions under the statute; P.A. 91-59 replaced reference to "local dog
warden" with reference to "municipal animal control officer"; P.A. 93-162 authorized use of facilities established under
this section to shelter animals other than dogs; P.A. 93-435 made certain technical and grammatical revisions, effective
June 28, 1993.
Cited. 218 C. 757, 765.
Sec. 22-337. Notice of licensing requirements. The selectmen of each town shall,
annually, at least thirty days before June thirtieth, post a notice on the signpost in their
town, if any, or at some other exterior place near the office of the town clerk, which
shall warn that dogs must be licensed during the month of June.
(1949 Rev., S. 3400; 1953, S. 1838d; 1963, P.A. 613, S. 10; P.A. 84-146, S. 13.)
History: 1963 act required that notice contain warning that dogs must be licensed during June rather than requirements
re licensing, wearing of collar and tag, etc.; P.A. 84-146 included a reference to posting of notice on a place other than a
signpost.
Sec. 22-338. Licensing of dogs. Fees. Penalties. Rabies certificate. Exemption.
(a) Each owner or keeper of a dog of the age of six months or older, except dogs kept
under a kennel license as provided in section 22-342, shall cause such dog to be licensed
in the town clerk's office in the town where such dog is kept, on or before June thirtieth,
annually, or at such time as such dog becomes six months old, and annually thereafter,
on or before June thirtieth. The owner or keeper shall pay to such town clerk for such
license the sum of seven dollars for each neutered male or spayed female dog and the
sum of twelve dollars for each unneutered male dog and each unspayed female dog,
and one additional dollar in each case as the town clerk's fee for issuing a tag and license
as provided in section 22-340. Two dollars from each license fee collected for a neutered
or spayed dog shall be deposited into the Animal Population Control Fund. If an owner
or keeper of a dog fails to procure a license as required by this section, such owner or
keeper shall pay the appropriate license fee specified in this section, the town clerk's
fee and a penalty of one dollar for each month or fraction thereof the dog remains
unlicensed.
(b) Any owner or keeper applying for a license for a dog under subsection (a) of
this section shall submit to the town clerk a rabies certificate signed by a veterinarian,
or a copy thereof, stating that such dog has been vaccinated against rabies, the date of
the vaccination and the duration of the immunity provided by the vaccine. No license
shall be issued unless the certificate indicates that the immunity provided by the vaccine
is effective at the time of licensing.
(c) This section shall not apply to any dog which is imported into this state for
exhibition purposes and which does not remain in this state for more than thirty days.
Any person may import, from another state, any licensed dog with collar, tag and rabies
vaccination certificate, and keep the same in this state for not more than thirty days,
without complying with the provisions of this section.
(1949 Rev., S. 3384; 1953, 1955, S. 1822d; 1957, P.A. 440, S. 2; 1963, P.A. 613, S. 9; February, 1965, P.A. 49, S. 1;
P.A. 76-361, S. 1; P.A. 82-323, S. 3; P.A. 85-167, S. 1; P.A. 89-161, S. 1; P.A. 91-46, S. 1, 12; P.A. 93-435, S. 40, 95;
P.A. 02-61, S. 1; P.A. 03-103, S. 1.)
History: 1963 act made provisions generally applicable deleting references to period between May 1, 1958, and June
30, 1959, and revised fee provisions; 1965 act raised license fee for male or spayed female dog from two dollars and ten
cents to three dollars and for unspayed dog from five dollars and ninety cents to seven dollars, added reference to charges
for fractions of months and changed last date for acquiring license without penalty from July first to June thirtieth; P.A.
76-361 distinguished between neutered and unneutered male dogs in fee provisions as between spayed and unspayed
female dogs; P.A. 82-323 doubled various town clerk's fees and penalty applicable until July thirty-first; P.A. 85-167
added Subsec. (b) requiring a rabies certificate for licensing on and after June 1, 1986; P.A. 89-161 amended Subsec. (a)
to increase the fees, to remove language on the prorating of fees and to change the method for computing penalties and
amended Subsec. (b) to remove outdated language; P.A. 91-46 added Subsec. (c) to provide for an exemption for certain
dogs imported into the state; P.A. 93-435 made certain technical and grammatical revisions, effective June 28, 1993; P.A.
02-61 amended Subsec. (a) to increase license fee for neutered or spayed dog from five dollars to seven dollars and allocate
two dollars from each license fee for a neutered or spayed dog to the Animal Population Control Fund; P.A. 03-103 amended
Subsec. (a) to increase license fee for unneutered and unspayed dogs from nine to twelve dollars and made a technical
change in Subsec. (b).
Former statute cited. 139 C. 624.
Sec. 22-339. Licensing of dogs which are six months of age or older by new
owners. Fees. Any person upon becoming the owner or keeper of any unlicensed dog
of the age of six months or older shall cause such dog to be licensed within thirty days
thereof until the thirtieth day of the ensuing June in the manner and subject to the terms
and conditions provided in section 22-338. If the new owner has written proof of purchase or transfer and the license is obtained within thirty days, he shall not be required
to pay any penalties as provided by said section for failure to secure a license for a dog
over six months of age. Any person becoming the owner of a licensed dog shall present
the license and tag of such dog to the town clerk of the town in which he resides and,
for a fee of one dollar, such town clerk shall issue, in lieu thereof, a new license and
tag, which shall be recorded in the name of the new owner. Such town clerk shall retain
the old license and tag in his possession.
(1949 Rev., S. 3385; 1953, S. 1823d; 1957, P.A. 440, S. 3; 1963, P.A. 613, S. 11; P.A. 76-361, S. 2; P.A. 78-297, S.
2, 3; P.A. 82-323, S. 4; P.A. 89-161, S. 2; P.A. 91-215, S. 1; P.A. 93-435, S. 41, 95.)
History: 1963 act imposed twenty-five cent per month fee for male or spayed female and sixty cent per month fee for
unspayed female when dog newly imported into state or obtained from kennel, etc. plus fifty-cent town clerk's fee and
where ownership of dog already licensed is transferred increased license transfer fee from thirty-five to fifty cents; P.A.
76-361 distinguished between fees for neutered and unneutered male dogs as between spayed and unspayed females; P.A.
78-297 deleted reference to dogs obtained from dog pound in fee provision; P.A. 82-323 doubled town clerk's fees; P.A.
89-161 removed language on the prorating of fees; P.A. 91-215 added language requiring new dog owners to license their
dogs within thirty days and to exempt a new owner from paying any penalty for late registration if he has proof of transfer
of ownership and obtains a license within thirty days thereof; P.A. 93-435 made certain technical and grammatical revisions,
effective June 28, 1993.
Sec. 22-339a. Town clerks may deputize agents for the issuance of licenses.
Licensing of dogs acquired from dog pounds. Fees. Rabies certificate. (a) The town
clerk of any town may deputize employees of any dog pound in such town as agents
for the issuance of dog licenses and tags, provided the town clerk shall be solely responsible for compliance with the provisions of the statutes relating to the duties of the town
clerk in connection with such licenses and tags and the moneys received therefor.
(b) Any person acquiring an unlicensed dog from a dog pound shall be issued a
temporary license by the town clerk, or his agent deputized pursuant to subsection (a)
of this section, which shall expire thirty days after the issuance thereof. Prior to the
expiration of a temporary license, the person holding the license shall apply for a license
for the remainder of the license year, pay the appropriate license fee specified in section
22-338, and submit a certificate signed by a veterinarian, or a copy thereof, stating (1)
that the dog has been vaccinated against rabies, (2) the date of the vaccination and (3)
the duration of the immunity provided by the vaccine. No license shall be issued unless
the certificate indicates that the immunity provided by the vaccine is effective at the
time of licensing.
(P.A. 78-297, S. 1, 3; P.A. 82-323, S. 5; P.A. 85-167, S. 2; P.A. 89-161, S. 3; P.A. 93-435, S. 42, 95.)
History: P.A. 82-323 doubled town clerk's fees in Subsec. (b); P.A. 85-167 amended Subsec. (b) to include provisions
re issuance of temporary thirty-day license and to require a rabies certificate as condition for issuance of license on and
after June 30, 1986; P.A. 89-161 added the reference to the fee specified in Sec. 22-338 and removed language on the pro
rating of fees and outdated language; P.A. 93-435 made certain technical and grammatical revisions, effective June 28, 1993.
Sec. 22-339b. Rabies vaccination required for dogs and cats. Booster vaccination required. Proof of vaccination. Any owner or keeper of a dog or cat of the age
of three months or older shall have such dog or cat vaccinated against rabies. Any animal
vaccinated prior to one year of age or receiving a primary rabies vaccine at any age shall
be considered protected for only one year and shall be given a booster vaccination
one year after the initial vaccination and shall be vaccinated at least every three years
thereafter. Those animals revaccinated after one year of age shall be given booster vaccinations at least every three years thereafter. Proof of vaccination shall be a certificate
issued by a licensed veterinarian in accordance with subsection (a) of section 22-339c.
Any violation of this section shall be an infraction.
(P.A. 85-167, S. 3, 9; P.A. 91-46, S. 2, 12; P.A. 93-435, S. 43, 95; P.A. 96-243, S. 13, 16.)
History: P.A. 91-46 entirely replaced previous provisions with new language re rabies vaccinations for dogs and cats;
P.A. 93-435 made certain technical and grammatical revisions, effective June 28, 1993; P.A. 96-243 added provision
making violations of section an infraction, effective June 6, 1996.
Sec. 22-339c. Certificate of rabies vaccination. (a) A certificate of rabies vaccination shall be (1) a Form 50 approved by the National Association of Public Health
Veterinarians, (2) any form approved by the State Veterinarian or (3) any form that has
the following information regarding the vaccinated animal: (A) The name and address
of its owner; (B) a description of the animal which specifies its species, breed, age, color
or markings and sex; (C) the date of the vaccination, the duration of the immunity
provided by the vaccination, the producer of the vaccine and the vaccine serial number;
(D) the rabies tag number and (E) the signature and license number of the veterinarian
administering the vaccination. Such certificate shall be the official proof of rabies vaccination submitted to a town clerk in accordance with the provisions of section 22-338
or 22-339a.
(b) The owner or keeper of a dog or cat shall keep a certificate, or copy thereof,
stating that such dog or cat has been vaccinated against rabies and shall make such
certificate or copy available to any animal control officer, regional animal control officer
or municipal animal control officer of any municipality for inspection.
(c) An antirabies clinic, upon request of any municipal animal control officer or
animal control officer, shall submit to such officer a copy of any such certificate issued.
Such copy shall be used by the officer to search for unlicensed dogs in accordance with
the provisions of section 22-349.
(P.A. 85-167, S. 4; P.A. 86-45, S. 2, 3; P.A. 91-46, S. 3, 12; 91-59, S. 11; P.A. 93-435, S. 44, 95; P.A. 98-12, S. 12, 22.)
History: P.A. 86-45 amended Subsec. (a) by adding Subdiv. (3) specifying information required on form to qualify for
rabies certificate; P.A. 91-46 amended Subsec. (a) to change "dog" to "animal" and to provide for official proof of rabies
vaccination, amended Subsec. (b) to include vaccinations for cats and added Subsec. (c) concerning provision of rabies
certificates by antirabies clinics; P.A. 91-59 replaced references to "warden" and "regional canine control officer" with
references to "municipal animal control officer" and "regional animal control officer", respectively; P.A. 93-435 made
certain technical and grammatical revisions, effective June 28, 1993; P.A. 98-12 changed "canine control officer" to "animal
control officer", effective July 1, 1998.
Sec. 22-339d. Municipal control of feral cats. (a) A municipality may adopt an
ordinance requiring the registration, within one year of the adoption of such ordinance,
of keepers of feral cats in residential or commercial areas. Such ordinance shall require
that any such keeper shall register with the animal control officer for such municipality
who shall provide information to the registrant regarding the proper care and management of feral cats. For purposes of this section, "feral cat" means a free-roaming domestic
cat which is not owned and "keeper" means any person or organization, harboring,
regularly feeding or having in his or its possession any feral cat. Refusal to permit any
animal control officer to impound a feral cat shall be deemed evidence of keeping. Such
ordinance shall require that such keepers shall provide for the vaccination of such cats
against rabies and the sterilization of such cats. Such keeper shall be considered an
eligible owner for purposes of the animal population control program established under
sections 22-380e to 22-380m, inclusive, provided such cats are adopted from a municipal
pound.
(b) A municipality may adopt an ordinance providing that no person owning or
keeping any cat shall permit such animal to (1) substantially damage property other than
the property of the owner or keeper or (2) cause an unsanitary, dangerous or unreasonably
offensive condition. Violation of such provision shall be an infraction.
(P.A. 96-243, S. 1.)
Sec. 22-340. Town clerk to provide licenses and tags. (a) Each person complying
with the provisions of section 22-338, 22-339 or 22-342 shall receive from the town
clerk a license on a form prescribed by the commissioner, which license shall contain
a description of the dog and the number under which such dog is licensed. The town
clerk shall issue to such person a tag or plate of material prescribed by the commissioner,
upon which shall be distinctly marked the name of the town in which such dog is licensed,
the license number and the year of license. No town clerk shall issue such license or tag
to any person for any neutered male or spayed female dog not previously licensed as
such unless the person causing the dog to be licensed exhibits to the town clerk a certificate from a licensed veterinarian stating that such veterinarian has neutered or spayed
the dog or that, after examining the dog, he finds that the dog has been neutered or
spayed.
(b) The town clerk shall provide for the issuance and renewal through the mail of
licenses issued under sections 22-338 and 22-339. The town clerk may make applications
for such licenses available at such facilities as kennels, pet stores, veterinarian offices,
humane society offices and pet grooming establishments.
(1949 Rev., S. 3386; 1953, S. 1824d; 1963, P.A. 613, S. 12; P.A. 77-420, S. 2, 3; 77-604, S. 19, 84; P.A. 89-161, S. 4;
P.A. 93-435, S. 45, 95.)
History: 1963 act rephrased provision re veterinarian's statement that dog has been spayed; P.A. 77-420 and 77-604
made provisions previously applicable to spayed dogs applicable to neutered dogs as well; P.A. 89-161 made the existing
section Subsec. (a), added Subsec. (b) and amended Subsec. (a) to remove a requirement that the town clerk record on the
license form the name of the veterinarian who neutered or spayed the dog; P.A. 93-435 made certain technical and grammatical revisions, effective June 28, 1993.
Sec. 22-341. Tag or plate to be attached to dog collar or harness. Cost. (a) Each
owner or keeper of a licensed dog shall keep around its neck or body a collar or harness
of leather or other suitable material, to which shall be securely attached a tag or plate
issued to such person by the town clerk. If any such tag or plate is lost, the owner or
keeper of such dog shall forthwith secure a substitute tag or plate from the town clerk,
at a cost of fifty cents.
(b) The town clerk of each town shall order a sufficient number of such tags or
plates from the commissioner, who shall furnish the same at a cost of five cents each,
which cost shall be paid by the town on the approval of the town clerk. Any balance of the
moneys received by the commissioner after deducting the cost of the tags, the expenses
incidental to their distribution to the town clerks and the expenses incidental to the
enforcement of the provisions of this chapter, shall be accounted for by the commissioner
to the Comptroller. The design and the shape of such tags or plates shall be changed
each year, and such tags or plates for each year shall be of uniform design and material
throughout the state. Any dog found roaming at large upon any public highway or common or upon the premises of any person other than its owner, without a tag as provided
in this section, shall be presumed to be an unlicensed dog.
(1949 Rev., S. 3387; 1953, S. 1825d; P.A. 83-382, S. 1, 3; P.A. 93-435, S. 46, 95; P.A. 01-62, S. 2.)
History: P.A. 83-382 amended Subsec. (a) to raise the fee for replacement tags from ten to fifty cents, for consistency
with Sec. 22-347; P.A. 93-435 made certain technical and grammatical revisions, effective June 28, 1993; P.A. 01-62
amended Subsec. (b) to eliminate provision re payment of dog license fees to the State Treasurer.
Sec. 22-342. Kennel licenses. Certain breeders to be licensed. Inspection of
kennel facilities. Penalties. (a) Any owner or keeper of a kennel who breeds more than
two litters of dogs annually shall apply to the town clerk in the town in which such
kennel is located for a kennel license. Any owner or keeper of a kennel who breeds not
more than two litters of dogs annually may apply to the town clerk of the town in which
such kennel is located for a kennel license. For the purposes of this section, annually
shall refer to the kennel license year which begins July first. Such town clerk shall issue
to such applicant a kennel license on a form prescribed by the commissioner for a period
from the date of such application until the thirtieth day of the ensuing June. The license
shall specify the name and number of the kennel, the name of the owner and the name
of the keeper and shall be in lieu of any other license required for any dog of either sex
which may be kept in such kennel during the period for which the license is issued. Each
license may be renewed from year to year by the town clerk upon application of such
owner or keeper. Each such owner or keeper shall cause to be kept, upon each dog in
such kennel, while it is at large, a collar or harness of leather or other suitable material,
to which collar or harness shall be securely attached a tag or plate upon which shall
appear the number of the kennel license, the name of the town issuing the license and
the year of license. Such plates or tags shall be furnished by the town clerk of the town
in which such kennel is licensed, at a cost of ten cents each, in such numbers, not fewer
than the number of dogs kept in such kennel, and at such time as the licensee may request.
The fee for each kennel license, when no more than ten dogs are kept in the kennel,
shall be fifty dollars, and for a license for a kennel containing more than ten dogs, the
fee shall be one hundred dollars, except that in the case of a kennel started after the first
day of July, the license fee for the remainder of the year shall be a proportional part of
the fee charged for one year. If the owner or keeper of any established kennel fails to
obtain the kennel license on or before June thirtieth, he shall pay one dollar for each
dog kept therein, in addition to the regular kennel fee.
(b) The commissioner, the Chief Animal Control Officer or any state animal control
officer may at any time inspect any kennel including all facilities of any kennel in which
dogs are bred or housed or cause it to be inspected by a Connecticut licensed veterinarian
appointed by the commissioner. If, in the judgment of the commissioner, such kennel
is not being maintained in good repair and in a sanitary and humane manner or if the
commissioner finds that communicable or infectious disease or other unsatisfactory
conditions exist in the kennel, he may issue such orders as he deems necessary for the
correction of such conditions and may quarantine the premises and animals. If the owner
or keeper of such kennel fails to comply with such orders, the commissioner shall revoke
or suspend the kennel license of such owner or keeper.
(c) Any person aggrieved by any order issued under the provisions of this section
may appeal to the Superior Court in accordance with the provisions of section 4-183.
(d) Any person maintaining a kennel after such license has been revoked or suspended as herein provided shall be fined not more than one thousand dollars or imprisoned not more than one year or both.
(e) Any owner or keeper of a kennel who breeds more than two litters of dogs
annually and (1) fails to apply for a kennel license as required in subsection (a) of this
section, or (2) fails to allow an inspection of such facility as required in subsection (b)
of this section shall be fined not more than one thousand dollars or imprisoned not more
than one year or both.
(1949 Rev., S. 3388, 3389; 1953, S. 1826d; 1957, P.A. 440, S. 4; 1963, P.A. 613, S. 13; 1969, P.A. 81, S. 4; P.A. 76-436, S. 457, 681; P.A. 77-260; 77-420, S. 1, 3; 77-603, S. 99, 125; P.A. 93-435, S. 47, 95; P.A. 98-12, S. 13, 22; 98-113,
S. 1.)
History: 1963 act made provisions of Subsec. (a) generally applicable, deleting references to period between May 1,
1958, and June 30, 1959; 1969 act replaced references to dog wardens with references to canine control officers where
necessary; P.A. 76-436 replaced court of common pleas with superior court in Subsec. (c), effective July 1, 1978; P.A.
77-260 replaced maximum fifty-dollar fine in Subsec. (d) with minimum fine of fifty dollars and maximum fine of one
hundred dollars; P.A. 77-420 doubled kennel license fees in Subsec. (a) and in Subsec. (b) made suspension or revocation
of license for failure to comply with orders of commissioner or canine control officer mandatory rather than optional; P.A.
77-603 revised appeal provision in Subsec. (c) to require appeals from commissioner's orders to be taken in accordance
with Sec. 4-183; P.A. 93-435 made certain technical and grammatical revisions, effective June 28, 1993; P.A. 98-12
changed "canine control officer" to "animal control officer", in Subsec. (b), effective July 1, 1998; P.A. 98-113 amended
Subsec. (a) to mandate regulation of breeders of more than two litters of dogs annually and to add definition of "annually",
amended Subsec. (b) to replace "canine control officer" with "animal control officer", to add provision re inspection of
facilities in which dogs are bred or housed, to change "registered" to "Connecticut licensed" veterinarian and to add
provision re maintenance of kennel in good repair, amended Subsec. (d) to increase penalties for certain violations of this
section and added new Subsec. (e) re penalty for breeders who violate this section.
"Kennel" defined; defects in license; license may be issued after May 1st; keeping dogs at different places. 84 C. 640.
Cited. 127 C. 73.
Subsec. (b):
Cited. 218 C. 757, 765.
Sec. 22-343. Temporary placing of dog. The holder of any kennel license may
place any dog belonging to such kennel in the possession and keeping of any prospective
purchaser for not more than thirty days without such keeper or temporary custodian
complying with the provisions of section 22-338, but such dog, during such temporary
custody, shall wear around its neck or body a collar or harness of leather or other suitable
material, to which shall be attached a tag or plate as specified in section 22-341 or 22-342.
(1949 Rev., S. 3390; 1953, S. 1827d; 1963, P.A. 613, S. 14.)
History: 1963 act allowed possible buyer to have custody of dog belonging to holder of kennel license for thirty days
rather than three weeks without obtaining license.
Sec. 22-344. Licensing of commercial kennel, pet shop, training facility or
grooming facility. Fees. Inspection. Conformance to zoning regulations. (a) No person shall maintain a commercial kennel until he has obtained from the commissioner a
license to maintain such kennel under such regulations as the commissioner provides
as to sanitation, disease and humane treatment of dogs or cats and the protection of the
public safety. Upon written application and the payment of a fee of one hundred dollars,
the commissioner shall issue such license to be effective until the ensuing December
thirty-first provided the commissioner finds (1) that such regulations have been complied with and (2) in the case of each initial application for such license, that the zoning
enforcement official of the municipality wherein such kennel is to be maintained has
certified that the kennel conforms to the municipal zoning regulations. Such license
shall be renewed annually, not later than December thirty-first, in accordance with the
provisions of this section, and may be transferred by the licensee to another premises
upon approval of the commissioner.
(b) No person shall maintain a pet shop until he has obtained from the commissioner
a license to maintain such pet shop under such regulations as the commissioner provides
as to sanitation, disease and humane treatment of animals and the protection of the public
safety. Upon written application and the payment of a fee of two hundred dollars, the
commissioner shall issue such license to be effective until the ensuing December thirty-first provided the commissioner finds (1) that such regulations have been complied with
and (2) in the case of each initial application for such license, that the zoning enforcement
official of the municipality wherein such pet shop is to be maintained has certified that
the pet shop conforms to the municipal zoning regulations. Such pet shop license may
be transferred by the licensee to another premises upon the approval of the commissioner. The commissioner, after consultation with the Commissioners of Public Health
and Environmental Protection, shall establish and maintain, pursuant to regulations
adopted in accordance with chapter 54, a list of animals which are deemed to be injurious
to the health and safety of the public or whose maintenance in captivity is detrimental
to the health and safety of the animal. The sale or offer of sale of any animal which is
on said list is prohibited and any person who violates this provision shall be fined not
more than five hundred dollars.
(c) No person shall engage in the business of grooming or maintaining a grooming
facility until such person has obtained from the commissioner a license to maintain such
facility under such regulations as the commissioner provides as to sanitation, disease
and humane treatment of such animals and the protection of the public safety. Upon
written application and the payment of a fee of one hundred dollars, the commissioner
shall issue such license to be effective until the ensuing December thirty-first provided
the commissioner finds (1) that such regulations have been complied with, and (2) in
the case of each initial application for such license, that the zoning enforcement official
of the municipality wherein such grooming is to be maintained has certified that the
facility conforms to the municipal zoning regulations. Such license shall be renewed
annually, not later than December thirty-first, in accordance with the provisions of this
section, and may be transferred by the licensee to other premises upon approval of the
commissioner.
(d) No person shall maintain a training facility until such person has obtained from
the commissioner a license to maintain such facility under such regulations as the commissioner provides as to sanitation, disease and humane treatment of such animals and
the protection of public safety. Upon written application and the payment of a fee of
one hundred dollars, the commissioner shall issue such license to be effective until the
ensuing December thirty-first provided the commissioner finds (1) that such regulations
have been complied with and (2) in the case of each initial application for such license,
that the zoning enforcement official of the municipality wherein such training facility
is to be maintained has certified that the facility conforms to the municipal zoning regulations. Such license shall be renewed annually upon the terms required for the original
license and may be transferred by the licensee to another premises upon approval of the
commissioner.
(e) The commissioner may, at any time, inspect or cause to be inspected by his
agents any such commercial kennel, pet shop, grooming facility or training facility, and
if, in his judgment such kennel, pet shop, grooming facility or training facility is not
being maintained in a sanitary and humane manner or in a manner that protects the
public safety, or if he finds that contagious, infectious or communicable disease or other
unsatisfactory conditions exist, he may issue such orders as he deems necessary for the
correction of such conditions and may quarantine the premises and animals. If the owner
or keeper of such kennel, pet shop, grooming facility or training facility fails to comply
with the regulations or orders of the commissioner, or fails to comply with any provision
of the statutes or regulations relating to dogs or other animals, the commissioner may
revoke or suspend such license. Any person aggrieved by any order issued under the
provisions of this section may appeal therefrom in accordance with the provisions of
section 4-183. Any person maintaining any commercial kennel, pet shop, grooming
facility or training facility without having obtained a license for the same or after any
such license has been revoked or suspended as provided herein shall be fined not more
than two hundred dollars. The provisions of this section shall not apply to veterinary
hospitals, except those boarding or grooming dogs for nonmedical purposes, and other
establishments where all the dogs or animals were born and raised on the premises where
they are kept for sale.
(f) The provisions of subsections (a) to (d), inclusive, of this section requiring certification by the zoning enforcement official that every commercial kennel, pet shop,
grooming facility and training facility conforms to the zoning regulations of the municipality wherein such kennel, pet shop, grooming facility or training facility is maintained
shall not apply to any person who is licensed under said subsections and maintained
any such kennel, pet shop or grooming facility prior to October 1, 1977, provided such
person does not relocate such kennel, pet shop, grooming facility or training facility in
a zone in which such kennel, pet shop, grooming facility or training facility is not a
permitted use. In addition, the provisions of said subsections requiring certification by
the zoning enforcement official that every commercial kennel, pet shop, grooming facility and training facility conforms to the zoning regulations of the municipality wherein
such kennel, pet shop, grooming facility or training facility is maintained shall not apply
when a zone in which such kennel, pet shop, grooming facility or training facility is
maintained is changed to a use which does not permit such kennel, pet shop, grooming
facility or training facility in such zone.
(1949 Rev., S. 3327; 1953, S. 1828d; 1959, P.A. 447, S. 1; 1963, P.A. 613, S. 15; February, 1965, P.A. 22, S. 1; 1969,
P.A. 81, S. 4; 423, S. 2; 1971, P.A. 70; 1972, P.A. 180, S. 2; P.A. 74-89; P.A. 76-436, S. 458, 681; P.A. 77-314, S. 2; 77-505; 77-603, S. 100, 125; 77-614, S. 323, 610; P.A. 82-91, S. 15, 16, 38; P.A. 83-382, S. 2, 3; P.A. 88-364, S. 30, 123;
May Sp. Sess. P.A. 92-6, S. 49, 117; P.A. 93-381, S. 9, 39; 93-435, S. 48, 95; P.A. 95-257, S. 12, 21, 58; P.A. 01-62, S. 3.)
History: 1959 act raised license fee from one dollar to ten dollars; 1963 act made previous provisions Subsecs. (a) and
(c), revising Subsec. (a) to apply only to commercial kennels and inserting new Subsec. (b) with separate provisions
applicable to pet shops; 1965 act allowed revocation or suspension of license for failure to comply with statutes or regulations
re dogs; 1969 acts inserted new Subsec. (c) containing provisions applicable to grooming businesses, relettering former
Subsec. (c) accordingly, replaced references to dog wardens with references to canine control officers where necessary
and including references to grooming facilities; 1971 act deleted proviso re prorated license fees for pet shops starting
after January thirty-first in Subsec. (b); 1972 act replaced references to inspections by canine control officers and veterinarians with references to inspections by commissioner's agents and allowed suspension or revocation of license for violations
of statutes and regulations re other animals as well as dogs in Subsec. (d); P.A. 74-89 included provisions in Subsec. (b)
re list of animals not to be maintained in captivity or injurious to public health and safety; P.A. 76-436 replaced court of
common pleas with superior court in Subsec. (d), effective July 1, 1978; P.A. 77-314 inserted new Subsec. (d) containing
provisions applicable to training facilities, relettering former Subsec. (d) accordingly and including references to training
facilities; P.A. 77-505 required that facilities conform to zoning regulations as condition of licensure and added Subsec.
(e) clarifying what constitutes conformity to zoning regulations; P.A. 77-603 replaced previous appeal provision with
statement requiring that appeals be made in accordance with Sec. 4-183; P.A. 77-614 substituted commissioner of health
services for commissioner of health in Subsec. (b), effective January 1, 1979; P.A. 82-91 increased commercial kennel
license fee from ten dollars to twenty-five dollars and amended Subsec. (e) to extend the application of the provisions of
the section to veterinary hospitals boarding or grooming dogs for nonmedical purposes; P.A. 83-382 amended Subsecs.
(a), (b), (c) and (d) to authorize the commissioner to adopt regulations that protect the public safety, amended Subsecs. (c)
and (d) to raise the license fee for training facilities from ten to twenty-five dollars and amended Subsec. (d) to require the
zoning enforcement officer to certify that a training facility conform to local zoning; P.A. 88-364 made technical changes
in Subsecs. (b), (e) and (f); May Sp. Sess. P.A. 92-6 amended Subsec. (a) to increase the license fee from twenty-five to
one hundred dollars, Subsec. (b) to increase the license fee from fifty to two hundred dollars, Subsec. (c) to increase the
license fee from twenty-five to one hundred dollars, Subsec. (d) to increase the license fee from twenty-five to one hundred
dollars and Subsec. (e) to increase the license fee from fifty to two hundred dollars; P.A. 93-381 replaced commissioner
of health services with commissioner of public health and addiction services, effective July 1, 1993; P.A. 93-435 made
certain technical and grammatical revisions, effective June 28, 1993; P.A. 95-257 replaced Commissioner and Department
of Public Health and Addiction Services with Commissioner and Department of Public Health, effective July 1, 1995; P.A.
01-62 amended Subsec. (c) to make a technical change and to require licenses to be renewed annually not later than
December thirty-first.
See Sec. 22-344a re euthanasia of warm-blooded animals offered for sale by pet shops and revocation of pet shop
licenses for violation of requirements.
Sec. 22-344a. Euthanasia of animals by pet shops. (a) Euthanasia of any warm-blooded animal which was offered for sale by a pet shop and not sold or transferred to
another owner shall be by lethal injection of sodium pentobarbitol administered by a
veterinarian licensed in this state or a person under his supervision.
(b) The commissioner shall revoke the license issued under section 22-344 of any
pet shop that violates subsection (a) of this section.
(P.A. 87-143, S. 1, 2; P.A. 93-435, S. 49, 95.)
History: P.A. 93-435 made certain technical and grammatical revisions, effective June 28, 1993.
Sec. 22-344b. Pet shop required to have dogs and cats examined by veterinarian. Replacement or refund. Penalty. (a) A pet shop licensee shall, prior to offering
a dog or cat for sale and thereafter at intervals of fifteen days until such dog or cat is
sold, provide for examination of such dog or cat by a veterinarian licensed under chapter
384. The licensee shall maintain a record of the veterinary services rendered for each
dog or cat offered for sale.
(b) If, within fifteen days of sale, any such dog or cat becomes ill or dies of any
illness which existed in such dog or cat at the time of the sale, such licensee shall, at
the option of the consumer, replace the dog or cat or refund in full the purchase price
of such dog or cat: (1) In the case of illness, upon return of the dog or cat to the pet shop
and the receipt of a certificate from a veterinarian licensed under chapter 384, stating
that the dog or cat is ill from a condition which existed at the time of sale, and (2) in
the case of death, the receipt of a certificate from a veterinarian licensed under said
chapter stating that the dog or cat died from an illness which existed at the time of sale.
Any costs for services and medications provided by a licensed veterinarian incurred by
the consumer for such illness shall be reimbursed to the consumer by such licensee in
an amount not to exceed two hundred dollars. The presentation of such certificate shall
be sufficient proof to claim reimbursement or replacement and the return of such deceased dog or cat to the pet shop shall not be required. No such refund or replacement
shall be made if such illness or death resulted from maltreatment or neglect by a person
other than the licensee, his agent or employee.
(c) A licensee who violates any provision of this section shall forfeit to the state a
sum not to exceed five hundred dollars for each animal which is the subject of the
violation. The Attorney General, upon complaint of the commissioner, may institute a
civil action in the superior court for the judicial district of Hartford to recover the forfeiture specified in this section.
(P.A. 88-230, S. 1, 12; 88-325, S. 1; P.A. 90-98, S. 1, 2; P.A. 93-142, S. 4, 7, 8; P.A. 95-220, S. 4-6; P.A. 98-113, S. 2.)
History: P.A. 88-230 replaced "judicial district of Hartford-New Britain at Hartford" with "judicial district of Hartford",
effective September 1, 1991; P.A. 90-98 changed the effective date of P.A. 88-230 from September 1, 1991, to September
1, 1993; P.A. 93-142 changed the effective date of P.A. 88-230 from September 1, 1993, to September 1, 1996, effective
June 14, 1993; P.A. 95-220 changed the effective date of P.A. 88-230 from September 1, 1996, to September 1, 1998,
effective July 1, 1995; P.A. 98-113 amended Subsec. (b) to provide for reimbursement of consumers by pet shops for
certain veterinary expenses.
Cited. 41 CS 179, 183.