[Editor's Note: Former Chapter 10, Control of Cats,
containing portions of BH Ord. No. 3-91, was removed from this Code
by BH Ord. No. 10/14/97. Regulations regarding rabies and cats are
included in this chapter.]
[BH Ord. 3-91, S 1; BH Ord. 10/14/97]
a. No person shall own, harbor or keep any dog or cat from within the
Township which is not currently inoculated against rabies; provided
however, that animals which have not attained the age of six months
shall not be required to be inoculated and further provided that any
animal may be exempt from the requirements of such inoculation, for
a specified period of time, by the Board of Health upon the presentation
of a certificate from a veterinarian stating that because of identity
or other physical condition, the inoculation of such animal for said
specified period of time shall be deemed inadvisable by a veterinarian.
b. Inoculation shall be made by a duly licensed veterinarian of the
State of New Jersey or such other person permitted by law to make
the same, and approved by the Township Board of Health.
c. Whenever a dog, cat or other animal is infected with rabies or is
suspected of being infected with rabies, or has been bitten by an
animal infected with rabies or suspected of being infected with rabies,
the person owning or having the care, custody or control of any such
animal or any person having knowledge or suspicion of such infection
shall notify the Township Board of Health and/or the appropriate Law
Enforcement Agency, the Animal Control Officer or Peace Officer immediately.
Any such report shall be reduced to writing at the request of the
Board of Health of the Township of Frankford.
d. If a dog or cat or other animal is known or believed to have rabies,
or has been bitten by a dog or cat or other animal known or suspected
of having rabies, the owner of such animal shall be notified by whomever
was notified under paragraph c in writing to have the animal confined
for a period of not less than six months, or such lesser period specified
by the State Department of Health, and placed under the observation
of a veterinarian, at the expense of the owner, for such period.
e. Any animal confined under order of the Township Board of Health shall
not be released until a certificate of release has been issued by
the said Board.
f. All dogs or cats or other animals so noticeably infected with rabies
and displaying vicious propensities or other noticeable symptoms of
rabies shall be killed, put down, or secured by the Animal Control
Officer, Peace Officer or appropriate Law Enforcement Agency, or any
other authorized person, after a written diagnosis of infection by
a veterinarian of the State of New Jersey or under emergency situations
at the discretion of the Animal Control Officer, appropriate Law Enforcement
Agency, or any other authorized person.
g. The Animal Control Officer, or any other authorized person, shall
promptly notify, in writing, the Township Board of Health and the
owner, if known, of the killing and the reason for the killing of
any dog, cat or other animal in accordance with the provisions of
this section.
h. Each person who owns, harbors, or keeps a cat shall maintain in his
or her possession, and have available for inspection by the Board
of Health, its agents and the Animal Control Officer, written verification
from a licensed veterinarian of the cat's rabies vaccination
date and the duration of the rabies vaccination. Failure to produce
the aforesaid written verification within five days after request
for same from the Animal Control Officer or the Board of Health shall
constitute a violation of this chapter.
i. The Animal Control Officer of the Township, any Constable, Police
Officer or Law Officer is hereby authorized to aid and assist in the
enforcement of this section.
j. Any person who violates any provision of this chapter or of any rule
or regulation promulgated by the State Department of Health governing
the sanitary conduct and operation to preserve sanitation therein
and prevent the spread of rabies and other diseases of cats within
and from such establishments, shall be subject to a fine of not less
than $5 nor more than $50 for each offense. A person who fails to
pay forthwith the amount of a judgment rendered against him and the
costs and charges incident thereto shall be committed by the court
to jail for a period not exceeding 10 days in the case of a first
conviction, and in the case of a conviction for a second, subsequent,
or continuing violation, for a period not exceeding 30 days.