Ordinance: Dogs at Wason Pond
At the request of the Wason Pond Commission, after a number of issues involving unleashed dogs, an ordinance pertaining to the presence of dogs at Wason Pond Conservation and Recreation Area and the responsibilities of their owners was drafted. On October 7th, 2021, the Board of Selectmen held a public hearing on this ordinance. It was edited and returned to the Wason Pond Commission for further discussion. The Wason Pond Commission approved the ordinance at their November 1st, 2021 meeting; the Board of Selectmen approved it at their November 4th, 2021 meeting.
The text of the ordinance follows.
Town of Chester, New Hampshire
REGULATIONS: DOGS AT WASON POND CONSERVATION AND RECREATION AREA
SECTION I: AUTHORITY
These Regulations have been enacted pursuant to the authority granted the Board of Selectmen by RSA 41:11-a and Wason Pond Conservation and Recreation Commission by RSA 35-B and RSA 36-A:4, which allow the Board of Selectmen and Wason Pond Conservation and Recreation Commission to adopt regulations for the use of Wason Pond Conservation and Recreation Area.
SECTION II: PURPOSE
The purpose of these Regulations is to supplement the Town’s 1980 adoption of RSA 466:30-a and to provide for regulations pertaining to the presence of dogs at Wason Pond Conservation and Recreation Area and the responsibilities of their owners.
SECTION III: LEASH REQUIREMENTS
No person shall exercise or walk a dog at Wason Pond Conservation and Recreation Area unless the dog is leashed with a leash of no more than eight feet in length that is able to restrain the dog under the physical control of the person exercising or walking the dog.
SECTION IV: EXCEPTIONS
The following shall be exempt from the requirements of these Regulations:
- A service dog that has been individually trained to provide assistance to an individual living with a disability. The tasks performed by the dog must be directly related to the person’s disability, and
- A dog assisting law enforcement officers.
SECTION V: ENFORCEMENT
These Regulations are enforceable by the Animal Control Officer, and/or the Chester Police Department.
SECTION VI: PENALTIES
Any person who violates the provisions of these Regulations shall be guilty of a violation and shall be subject to the penalties as provided under New Hampshire law, including, but not limited to a fine not exceeding $1,000. See RSA 651:2.
SECTION VII: WAIVERS
The Chester Board of Selectmen and Wason Pond Conservation and Recreation Commission jointly reserve the right, for cause shown, to make special exceptions and/or waive any portion of the Regulations.
SECTION VIII: SEVERABILITY
If any provision of these Regulations is held to be invalid, other provisions and sections shall not be affected, and to this end, the provisions and sections hereof are declared to be severable.
SECTION IX: ADOPTION
These Regulations shall take effect immediately upon adoption of the Board of Selectmen and Wason Pond Conservation and Recreation Commission.