Coyote Feeding Penalties Take Effect, Dog Fees and Fines Go Up

The Middletown Town Council on Tuesday night adopted four ordinances pertaining to animals—both wild and domestic—that come with financial impacts to law-abiding dog owners as well as law violators.   

As a result, dog license and registration fees are going up, leash law violators will see stiffer fines from now on, and Middletown officials now have local authority to fine anyone caught feeding coyotes.

Following the Second Readings of each item Tuesday night, the Town Council voted 5-0 to pass the four new local laws, with councilors Antone Viveiros and Ed Silveira absent from the votes.

Here’s a look at Middletown’s new and updated local laws pertaining to pets and wildlife:

Don't feed wild animals, especially coyotes.

As part of the town’s multi-pronged approach to dealing with the increasing coyote population on Aquidneck Island in recent years, the Town of Middletown now has the authority to impose against anyone caught feeding wild animals.

The law will apply to intentional and unintentional violations, with special exceptions for feeding birds and squirrels at least 100 feet from a home in a properly elevated feeder. Pets may continue to be fed outdoors, so long as excess food in containers is properly sealed off and pets are not left with more food than they typically eat per feeding. Old, feeble and injured animals may not be left outside unattended as prey for coyotes.

For a complete reading of the new law, see the image gallery to read The Town Code of the Town of Middletown, Title IX, General Regulations, Chapter 90A.

What's new or changed?

Middletown now shares the same local authority as state officials with imposing fines against violators.

Fines

• Violators may be slapped with fines ranging from $100 to $500 for each day of the violation.

Keep Fido on a leash.

Middletown has increased its fines against violators of the town’s leash law, which requires that all dogs be on leashes when they are off private property, except at designated dog parks. Middletown also prohibits dogs from athletic and sports fields managed by the town, as well as school yards and school properties.

In Middletown, between May 1 and Sept. 30, dogs are only allowed on town beaches between 5 a.m. and 7:45 a.m. and must be on a leash.

From Oct. 1 through April 30, dogs are allowed on town beaches at all times, but must be leashed and pet owners must properly dispose of pet waste immediately.

What's new or changed?

Bigger fines for first, second and third-time offenders.

Fines

• From now on, leash law fines are $50 for the first offense, $100 for the second, and $150 for the third.
• Fines against owners of dogs that violate the beach regulations are also stiffer, with penalties of $100, $150, and $200 for the first, second and third offenses, respectively.

Dog Licenses

Dog license and registration fees are now $7, plus $2 for the dog tag.

What's new or changed?

A $2 increase.

Dog Registrations

Dog Registration fees are now $10 per year.

What's new or changed?

A $2 increase.

For more information

• The Town of Middletown's complete Town Charter and Ordinances may be viewed online.
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