As used in this article, the following terms
shall have the meanings indicated:
CAT
Any member of the domestic feline species, whether male,
female or altered, and which has attained the age of seven months
and which is owned or harbored in the Township of Hamilton.
No person shall own, keep, harbor or maintain
any cat over seven months of age within the Township of Hamilton unless
such cat is vaccinated and licensed. All cats shall be vaccinated
against rabies by a licensed veterinarian in accordance with the latest
Compendium of Animal Rabies Vaccines and Recommendations for Immunization,
published by the National Association of State Public Health Veterinarians.
A certificate of vaccination shall be issued to the owner of each
cat vaccinated.
Any person who shall own, keep, harbor or maintain
a cat of licensing age shall annually apply for and procure from the
Township Clerk, or other official designated by the governing body
thereof to license cats in the Township of Hamilton, a license and
official registration tag for such cat. No license or registration
tag shall be issued unless the owner thereof provides evidence that
the cat has been inoculated with a rabies vaccine as set forth herein.
[Amended 6-20-2016 by Ord. No. 1823-2016]
A license shall be issued after a payment of an annual fee of
$5 for each cat, which license shall be obtained by January 31 of
each year. Persons who fail to obtain a license as required prior
to April 30 of each year will be subject to a delinquent fee of $3
for each cat.
Proof of licensing shall be produced by any
person owning, keeping, maintaining or harboring a cat upon the request
of any health official, police officer, animal control officer or
other authorized person.
Violation of any of the terms or provisions
of this article shall be punishable in the Township of Hamilton Municipal
Court as follows:
A. Conviction of first offense: a fine of not less than
$25 nor more than $100.
B. Conviction of second offense: a fine of not less than
$75 nor more than $150.
C. Conviction of third offense or subsequent offenses:
a fine of not less than $150 nor more than $500 or imprisonment in
the county jail for such term not exceeding 90 days, or both, as the
sentencing Judge may impose.