[Ord. No. 543, 2/16/2022]
The purpose of this Part is to prohibit and to regulate the keeping and feeding of feral cats within the Borough in order to promote the health, safety and general welfare of its inhabitants.
[Ord. No. 543, 2/16/2022]
For the purpose of this Part, the following terms shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context in which the word is used clearly indicates otherwise:
BOROUGH
The Borough of Hatfield.
BOROUGH COUNCIL
The Borough Council of the Borough of Hatfield.
FERAL CAT
Any homeless, wild or untamed cat.
NUISANCE
Any use of property within the Borough of Hatfield or any condition upon any property within the said Borough that, other than infrequently or occasionally, shall cause or result in annoyance or disturbance to persons beyond the boundaries of such property; interference to the health and/or safety of persons beyond the boundaries of such property; and/or disturbance to or interference with the peaceful use of the property of others in the Borough, in any case taking into consideration the location of the use or condition, and the nature and condition of the surrounding neighborhood.
OWNER
Any person having a right of property in, having custody of, or who harbors a cat to remain on or around his or her property.
PERSON
A natural person, firm, partnership, association or corporation.
[Ord. No. 543, 2/16/2022]
It shall be unlawful for any owner of any cat to permit such cat to run free outside the residence of its owner or keeper unless such cat has been:
1. 
Neutered or spayed to prevent procreating;
2. 
Immunized against rabies in compliance with Pennsylvania law; and
3. 
Identified by means of a collar with a tag or a microchip. The identification must provide the owner's name and contact information.
[Ord. No. 543, 2/16/2022]
1. 
It shall be unlawful and deemed a nuisance subject to penalties under this Part for any person to feed six or more feral cats at one time or in one location.
2. 
If the feeding of feral cats results in the gathering of six or more cats in one location, it shall be automatically deemed a nuisance subject to penalties under this Part.
3. 
It shall be unlawful and deemed a nuisance subject to penalties under this Part for any person to cause feral cat(s) to habitually trespasses upon or damage either private or public property, or annoy, disturb the peace and quiet of the surrounding neighbors between the hours of 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m., or harm lawful users or occupants thereof, or violate the provisions of § 2-202, Noise Disturbance.
[Ord. No. 543, 2/16/2022]
Any person, organization, firm or corporation who shall violate any provision of this Part or is found to be causing a nuisance as described in this Part, upon conviction thereof in an action brought before a Magisterial District Judge in the manner provided for the enforcement of summary offenses under the Pennsylvania Rules of Criminal Procedure, shall be sentenced to pay a fine of not less than $100 and not more than $1,000, plus costs, and, in default of payment of said fine and costs, to a term of imprisonment not to exceed 90 days. A separate offense shall be deemed committed on each day or part of each day during which a violation occurs or continues. Each day that a violation of this chapter continues or each section of this chapter which shall be found to have been violated shall constitute a separate offense.
[Ord. No. 543, 2/16/2022]
The provisions of this Part, as far as they are the same as those of ordinances in force immediately prior to the enactment of this Part, are intended as a continuation of such ordinances and not as new enactments. The provisions of this Part shall not affect any such suit or prosecuting pending or to be instituted to enforce any right or penalty or to punish any offense under the authority of any ordinance repealed by this Part.