General Information
Swampscott dogs six months old and older must be licensed annually at the Town Clerk’s Office. The Town’s license tag, in the shape of a fire hydrant, is good from January 1 to December 31 and must be renewed each year during the month of January.
The current fee schedule for new or renewal licenses is: $10.00 for neutered males or spayed females; $25.00 for males or females that are not neutered or spayed; $50.00 for kennel licenses.
Annual Renewals:
In an effort to make the annual license process as “user friendly” as possible, we have mailed a renewal packet to all current dog license holders which includes a renewal form and a set of instructions. The Town Clerk will accept dog license registrations by mail as well as at Town Hall.
Town Hall Registration
(Mon. through Thursday: 8 am to 4:30 pm; and Fri 8 am to 12:00 pm.):
1. Fill out the license renewal form COMPLETELY including a home telephone number. Leave the box containing the license year # blank, that’s for your new tag number.
2. Bring the appropriate fee (cash or check payable to the Town of Swampscott).
3. Bring the dog’s current certificate of rabies vaccination (Required by state law).
To register by mail (24 hours a day using the new drop-off box):
1. Fill out the license renewal form COMPLETELY. Leave the box containing the license year # blank, that’s for your new tag number.
2. Enclose the appropriate fee in the form of a check or money order made payable to the Town of Swampscott. NO CASH.
3. Enclose a copy of your current certificate of rabies vaccination. This will be returned to you with your license tag.
4. Enclose a stamped, self-addressed envelope with 33 cents postage.
Be sure to write “DOG LICENSE” on the outside of the envelope you mail to Town Hall.
If the required steps are followed, we will process your license renewal and mail your new dog tag to you. If any of the four steps are not followed, your dog license renewal will be returned to you unprocessed.
A late fee of $5.00 will be assessed to each license after January 31. Additionally, “Failure to License” citations will be issued by the Dog Officer any time after January 31 carrying a fine of $25.00.
Animal Control Regulations:
1. 24-hour Leash Law:. No person owning, harboring or having custody and control of a dog shall permit such dog to be at large in the Town of Swampscott, elsewhere than on the premises of the owner, except that it be on the premises of another person with the knowledge and assent of such person. ANY DOG ELSEWHERE SHALL AT ALL TIMES (24-Hours a day) BE CONTROLLED OR RESTRAINED BY ANY CHAIN OR LEASH AND BE UNDER THE DIRECT CONTROL AND SUPERVISION OF ITS OWNER OR HIS DESIGNEE.
2. Pooper-Scooper. Duty to Dispose: It shall be the duty of each person who owns, possesses or controls a dog to remove and dispose of any feces left by his/her dog on any sidewalk, street, park, public area or private property of another.
Duty to Possess Means of Disposal: No person who owns, possesses or controls such dog shall appear with such dog on any sidewalk, street, park, public area or private property of another without the means of removal of any feces left by such dog.
Method of Removal and Disposal: For the purposes of this regulation the means of removal shall be any tool, implement or other devise carried for the purpose of picking up and containing such feces, unexposed to said person or the public. Disposal shall be accomplished by transporting such feces to a place suitable and regularly reserved for the disposal of human feces or specifically reserved for the disposal of canine feces, and so disposing of said feces.
Fines for Violation: Fines for violation of this By-Law shall be $50.00 per offense.
Exemption. This regulation shall not apply to a guide dog accompanying any handicapped person.
3. Excessive Barking:. It shall be unlawful for any dog owner to allow excessive, complaint provoking barking on the part of the dog. Violations of this By-Law shall subject the dog owner to a $25.00 fine for each offense.
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