As used in this article, the following terms
shall have the meanings indicated:
HARBOR
To provide food or shelter to any domesticated pets.
OWNER
Any person who harbors or keeps any domesticated pets. In
the event that any such animal found in violation of this article
shall be owned by a person under 18 years of age, the owner shall
be deemed to be the parent, guardian or head of household of such
person.
Any police officer, peace officer, when acting
pursuant to his/her special duties, Dog Control or Animal Control
Officer employed by or under contract to the City of Oneonta is hereby
authorized or empowered to enforce this article and to receive and
act upon citizen complaints in reference thereto.
[Amended 8-16-2016 by Ord. No. 5-2016]
It shall be the duty of each owner or person having custody of an animal within the City of Oneonta to conform to the provisions of this article, and any said owner or custodian of any animal seized pursuant to the provisions of this article shall be liable to the penalty imposed for a violation of this article as set forth in §
68-14. In addition to the foregoing, the owner or person having custody of an animal, whose animal has been seized or impounded within the City of Oneonta, will be subject to the following redemption periods and required to pay the City of Oneonta impoundment fees when the animal is reclaimed from the City facility. Any and all fees incurred by the City of Oneonta will
be paid by the owner. Redemption periods shall be counted from the
day of impoundment, whether or not the animal shall be impounded in
a City facility, a shelter contracted with or by the City or any combination
thereof.
A. Dogs. The redemption periods for dogs shall be as follows, with stipulations
as defined in the Agriculture and Markets Law:
(1) Unidentified dogs: three days.
(2) Identified dogs if notification be personally given: five days.
(3) Identified dogs if notification be given by mail: seven days.
(4) Impoundment and boarding fees shall be as set from time to time by
the Common Council of the City of Oneonta.
B. Cats.
(1) Redemption periods for cats shall be no less than five days and shall
be counted from the day of impoundment, whether the cat is harbored
at the City facility, a shelter contracted with or used by the City
or a combination thereof.
(2) Impoundment and boarding fees for cats reclaimed at the City facility
shall be determined by whether the cat is spayed or neutered, identified
and does or does not have a current rabies vaccination and shall be
as set from time to time by the Common Council of the City of Oneonta.
C. Ferrets and other domesticated pets. Redemption periods for ferrets
and other pets shall be no less than five days. Sufficient proof of
ownership and compliance with state and local laws must be shown to
the satisfaction of the Animal Control Officer. Redemption fees shall
be as set from time to time by the Common Council of the City of Oneonta.
D. Other charges for all impounded animals.
(1) Further, in addition to the foregoing, the owner or person having
custody of an animal whose animal was seized within the City of Oneonta
and impounded will be required to reimburse the City of Oneonta for
any disbursements made by the City for the humane care and treatment
of the animal, including but not limited to veterinarian's services
and any necessary treatment directed by the Health Officer or Public
Health Official.
(2) Dogs and cats over three months of age will not be released without
proof of current rabies vaccination as long as the county declaration
is in effect. A fee will be added to any reclaim fees of any dog or
cat that requires a rabies vaccination prior to release.
Consistent with New York State Agriculture and
Markets Law, local license fees shall be set from time to time by
the Common Council of the City of Oneonta, with no less than a five-dollar
differential between fees for neutered or unneutered dogs. No such fee shall at any time be in excess of the maximum
fee authorized under New York State Law.
A violation of this article shall be punishable as prescribed in §
1-18 of this Code.