[Ord. 656, 4/9/2015]
This Part shall be known and may be cited as the "Cat Control
Ordinance."
[Ord. 656, 4/9/2015]
All cats shall be vaccinated against rabies by a licensed veterinarian
in accordance with the recommendations for immunization published
by the National Association of State Public Health Veterinarians;
provided, that upon presentation of a veterinarian's certificate
stating that because of infirmity or other physical condition, the
inoculation of such cat is not medically appropriate.
[Ord. 656, 4/9/2015]
1.
No person shall keep, harbor, or maintain a cat that roams freely.
The owner must identify the cat or cats by adorning each cat with
an identification collar or tag that clearly and legibly states the
cat owner's name, address and telephone number.
2.
The owner of a cat must provide proof of a cat's current rabies
vaccination upon request of the Township.
3.
No person or resident shall own, harbor or maintain a non-domestic
feline or hybrid within the Township limits.
[Ord. 656, 4/9/2015]
It shall be unlawful for any owner of a cat to permit or to
allow such cat in the Township to become a public nuisance. Acts of
nuisance shall include, but are not limited to, the following:
[Ord. 656, 4/9/2015]
A person is exempted from liability under §§ 2-203 and 2-204 of this Part if he complies with all of the following criteria:
A.
The person is providing services to cats under the guidance and supervision
of the Western Pennsylvania Humane Society ("Humane Society"), the
American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA)
or Animal Friends, Inc. ("Animal Friends").
B.
The person and his facility are certified to provide such services
by the Humane Society, ASPCA or Animal Friends.
C.
The person and his facility are in compliance with all applicable
federal, state, county and Township laws, statutes, ordinances and
regulations.
D.
The person grants permission to the Township Police Chief and Police
Department to enter upon and into the subject property and facility
whenever necessary to inspect the property and facility.
E.
Inspections by the Township Police Chief show that there is no health
or safety risk to adjacent properties and residents, the neighborhood,
or the animals on the subject property or facility.
F.
The cats being served by the person and facility are not a nuisance
to adjacent properties and are not negatively impacting the adjacent
properties and residents.
G.
The Township Police Chief issues a written determination that the
person and his facility are in compliance with this section. Such
determination may be revoked at any time by the Township Police Chief.
[Ord. 656, 4/9/2015]
The Animal Control Officer, or any officer of the Police Department,
or constable may seize any stray cat, abandoned cat, or cat running
at large within the limits of the Township to the annoyance or inconvenience
of the residents or pedestrians or operators of motor vehicles. Such
cats are to be taken and impounded in a place provided for that purpose.
If the owner be known or can be ascertained from a registration, the
Township shall notify that owner to reclaim said cat within a period
of 48 hours after receiving notice to do so. If the owner is not known
or cannot be ascertained or if the cat is not claimed within said
forty-eight-hour period, said cat shall be dispensed of by sale, or
by giving it to a humane society or association for the prevention
of cruelty to animals or be disposed of in a humane manner. The owner
of the cat so detained shall pay a penalty of $40 to the Township
for the seizure and detention and all of the costs or expenses incurred
by reason of its detention by the Township before the cat is returned.
[Ord. 656, 4/9/2015]
Any person, firm or corporation who shall violate any provision
of this Part, or fails to comply therewith, or with any of the requirements
thereof, 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 nor more than $1,000
plus costs, including reasonable attorney fees incurred by the Township,
and, in default of payment of said fine and costs, to a term of imprisonment
to the extent permitted by law for the punishment of summary offenses.
A separate offense shall arise for each day or portion thereof in
which a violation of this Part is found to exist and for each section
of this Part found to have been violated. The Township may also commence
appropriate actions in equity or other to prevent, restrain, correct,
enjoin, or abate violations of this Part. All fines and penalties
collected for violations of this Part shall be paid to the Township
Treasurer. The initial determination of ordinance violation is hereby
delegated to the Township Manager, the Police Department, the Township
Code Official, the authorized designee of the Township Manager, and
to any other officer or agent that the Township Manager or the Board
of Supervisors shall deem appropriate.
