City of Paterson, NJ Article VIII Feeding of Wildlife

[Adopted 11-9-2005 by Ord. No. 05-074[1]]

[1] Editor's Note: This ordinance was originally adopted as Ch. 122, but was redesignated as Ch. 121, Art. VIII, to maintain the organizational style of the Code.

§ 121-51 Purpose.

The purpose of this article is to prohibit the feeding of unconfined wildlife in any public park or on any other property owned or operated by the City of Paterson, so as to protect public health, safety and welfare, and to prescribe penalties for the failure to comply.

§ 121-52 Definitions.

For the purpose of this article, the following terms, phrases, words and their derivations shall have the meanings stated herein unless their use in the text of this article clearly demonstrates a different meaning. When not inconsistent with the context, words used in the present tense include the future, words used in the plural number include the singular number, and words used in the singular number include the plural number. The word "shall" is always mandatory and not merely directory.

FEED

To give, place, expose, deposit or scatter any edible material with the intention of feeding, attracting or enticing wildlife. Feeding does not include baiting in the legal taking of fish and/or game.

PERSON

Any individual, corporation, company, partnership, firm, association, or political subdivision of this state subject to municipal jurisdiction.

WILDLIFE

All animals that are neither human nor domesticated.

§ 121-53 Prohibited conduct.

No person shall feed, in any public park or on any other property owned or operated by the City of Paterson, any wildlife, excluding confined wildlife (for example, wildlife confined in zoos, parks or rehabilitation centers, or unconfined wildlife at environmental education centers.)

§ 121-54 Enforcement.

A. This article shall be enforced by the Police Department and/or other Municipal Officials of the City of Paterson.

B. Any person found to be in violation of this article shall be ordered to cease the feeding immediately.

§ 121-55 Violations and penalties.

Any person(s) who is found to be in violation of the provisions of this article shall be subject to a fine not to exceed $1,250.

§ 121-56 Severability.

Each section, subsection, sentence, clause and phrase of this article is declared to be an independent section, subsection, sentence, clause and phrase, and the finding or holding of any such portion of this article to be unconstitutional, void, or ineffective for any cause, or reason, shall not affect any other portion of this article.