This article shall be known as the "Cat Control Act of the Village
of Warwick."
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the
following meanings:
CAT CONTROL OFFICER
The person designated by the Village of Warwick Board of
Trustees to enforce the provisions of this article.
CAT
Any cat, regardless of sex, age or ownership status.
DOMESTICATED CAT
Any licensed cat kept in or about the residence of the owner
which is not vicious, dangerous or otherwise obnoxious, objectionable
or offensive.
EUTHANIZE
To bring about death by a humane method.
FERAL
Existing in a wild or untamed state, or returning to an untamed
state after domestication.
HARBORING
Maintaining control over a cat by housing, feeding, treating,
bathing and/or exerting any other type of influence over it.
IDENTIFICATION TAG
A tag which sets forth an identification number as required
by the provisions of this article.
MANAGED OUTDOOR CAT COLONY
A group of cats that live outdoors which are fed by and maintained
by a Village resident and which are supervised, sanctioned, licensed,
and approved by the Warwick Valley Humane Society.
OUTDOORS
Any area that is not the inside of the cat owner's residence.
OWNER
Every person having a right of property of a cat and every
person who has a cat in his or her keeping or who harbors a cat or
the adult member of a family in which a minor owner of a cat resides.
OWNER OF RECORD
The person in whose name any cat was last licensed pursuant
to this article, except that if any license is issued on an application
of a person under 18 years of age, the owner of record shall be deemed
to be the parent or guardian of such person.
This law shall apply to all cats and residents within the Village
of Warwick.
The owner of any cat which has attacked, injured or damaged
any person, other animal or property shall be liable for such injury
and damages.
Any person who observes a cat or the owners thereof in violation
of any of the provisions of this article may file a written verified
complaint with the cat control officer in a form acceptable to the
cat control officer, which complaint shall set forth the conduct of
such cat or that of the owner, including the date thereof, the damage
caused, if any, a description of such cat and the name and residence,
if known, of the owner of said cat. Upon receipt of such a complaint,
if such complaint indicates that a violation of this article has occurred,
the cat control officer may issue and serve an appearance ticket based
upon such information upon the owner of such cat, if such owner is
known.
Except as otherwise provided for in the New York State Agriculture
and Markets Law, a violation of this article shall constitute an offense
punishable by any applicable provisions of the New York State Agriculture
and Markets Law as well as out of pocket expenses incurred by the
victim for damages caused by a violation of this statute, as well
as a fine not to exceed $750. Each day's violation shall be considered
a new and separate offense subject to a separate penalty.