[Adopted 7-25-1983 by Ord. No. 0-11-83 (Ch. 25, Art. III, of the 1967 Code; amended in its entirety 4-11-2005 by Ord. No. 113-2005]
The purpose of this article is to establish requirements for the proper disposal of pet solid waste in Township of River Vale, so as to protect public health, safety and welfare, and to prescribe penalties for failure to comply.
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.
IMMEDIATE
That the pet solid waste is removed at once, without delay.
OWNER/KEEPER
Any person who shall possess, maintain, house or harbor any pet or otherwise have custody of any pet, whether or not the owner of such pet.
PERSON
Any individual, corporation, company, partnership, firm, association or political subdivision of this state subject to municipal jurisdiction.
PET
A domesticated animal (other than a disability assistance animal) kept for amusement or companionship.
PET SOLID WASTE
Waste matter expelled from the bowels of the pet; excrement.
PROPER DISPOSAL
Placement in a designated waste receptacle, or other suitable container, and discarded in a refuse container which is regularly emptied by the municipality or some other refuse collector; or disposal into a system designed to convey domestic sewage for proper treatment and disposal.
A. 
No person owning, harboring, keeping or in charge of any dog shall cause, suffer or allow such dog to soil, defile, defecate on or commit any nuisance on any common thoroughfare, sidewalk, passageway, bypath, play area, park or any place where people congregate or walk or upon any public property whatsoever or upon any private property without the permission of the owner of said property without immediately removing all feces deposited by such dog. This restriction also applies to that portion of the street lying between the curblines.
B. 
All pet owners and keepers are required to immediately and properly dispose of their pet's solid waste deposited on any property, public or private, not owned or possessed by that person.
Any owner or keeper who requires the use of a disability assistance animal shall be exempt from the provisions of this article while such animal is being used for that purpose.
The Police Department and Division of Building and Code Enforcement of Township of River Vale shall enforce the provisions of this article.
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 $ 1,000.