An Ordinance to amend Amesbury City Code Chapter 204, "Animals" and recognize the Chief of Police, or the Chief’s designee, as the hearing authority for nuisance and dangerous dog hearings in the City of Amesbury in accordance with G.L. c. 140 §§ 157 and 136A.

This ordinance updates Amesbury City Code Chapter 204, Animals, to designate the Chief of Police or the Chief’s designee as the hearing authority for nuisance and dangerous dog hearings, in line with state law (G.L. c. 140, §§ 157 and 136A). It also modernizes terminology by replacing references to the Municipal Council and the Town of Amesbury with the City of Amesbury, removes breed-specific dog language, and adds a formal Hearing Authority definition that governs dangerous and nuisance dog determinations and orders under state law. The changes take effect January 1, 2025 and affect how nuisance/dangerous dog cases are processed and adjudicated in the city.