As used in this article, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICER
Any person or agency designated or certified by the State
of New Jersey to enforce the provisions of this article.
CAT
Any member of the domestic feline species; male, female or
neutered.
CAT OF LICENSING AGE
Any cat which has attained the age of six months or which
possesses a set of permanent teeth.
[Amended 9-18-2002 by Ord. No. 14-02]
CATTERY
Any room or group of rooms, cage or exhibition pen, not part
of a kennel, wherein cats for sale are kept or displayed.
LICENSING AUTHORITY
The Board of Health of the Township of Morris, or any designated
representative thereof.
NEUTERED
Rendered permanently incapable of reproduction as certified
by a licensed veterinarian.
OWNER
When applied to the proprietorship of a cat, includes every
person having a right of property (or custody) in such cat and every
person who has such cat in his/her keeping or who harbors or maintains
a cat or knowingly permits a cat to remain on or about any premises
occupied by that person. Any person that regularly feeds, shelters
or cares for a cat shall be deemed the owner of that cat.
[Amended 9-18-2002 by Ord. No. 14-02]
PERSON
Any individual, corporation, partnership, organization or
institution commonly recognized by law as a unit.
STRAY
Any cat of licensing age without a current registration tag,
visible tattoo or other bodily identification marking approved by
the Animal Control Officer or any cat which the Animal Control Officer
has reason to believe is a stray cat.
[Amended 9-18-2002 by Ord. No. 14-02]
[Amended 9-18-2002 by Ord. No. 14-02]
A. Seizure. The Animal Control Officer shall take into custody and impound:
(1) Any cat running at large in the Township or off the premises of the
owner causing injury to a person or other domestic animal, or creating
a threat to public health, safety or welfare, as deemed by the health
authority or Animal Control Officer.
(2) Any cat believed to be a stray by the Animal Control Officer.
B. If any cat seized wears a current registration tag or other proper
identification marking, the Animal Control Officer shall serve a notice
in writing to the owner. The notice shall state that the cat has been
seized and will be liable to be placed for adoption or euthanized
if not claimed within seven days after the service of the notice.
C. Placing for adoption or euthanization. When any cat so seized has
been detained for seven days after notice, or has been detained for
seven days after seizure when no notice has been given because of
lack of name and address of owner, and if the owner or person keeping
or harboring the cat has not claimed the cat and paid all expenses
incurred by reason of its detention, the ownership of the cat shall
transfer to the agency providing animal control services to the Township
of Morris.
D. The owner shall be responsible for all fees incurred by reason of
its detention. Such fees must be paid to the impoundment facility
prior to the release of the cat.
E. If an animal is adopted, at the time of adoption, the right of ownership
in the animal shall transfer to the new owner. No cat or other animal
so caught and detained or procured, obtained, sent or brought to a
pound or shelter shall be sold or otherwise made available for the
purpose of experimentation.
[Added 9-18-2002 by Ord. No. 14-02]
Any cat causing the destruction of private or public property
or injury to a person or other domestic animal, creating a threat
to public health, safely or welfare, causing damage to any lawn, shrubbery,
flowers, grounds, trees or otherwise interfering with the enjoyment
of property shall be declared a nuisance.
[Amended 9-18-2002 by Ord. No. 14-02]
No person shall keep, harbor or maintain more than six cats
of licensing age at any one time in any residence or upon its grounds,
or in any business establishment or upon its grounds. Any person who,
on the effective date of this section, is the owner of a lawfully
licensed cat in excess of six may continue to keep, care for, own
and maintain all said licensed cats but may not replace any such cat
in excess of six. This shall not apply to duly licensed veterinary
establishments.
[Amended 9-18-2002 by Ord. No. 14-02]
Any person who violates or fails or refuses to comply with this
article shall be liable for a penalty not less than $5 and not more
than $500. Such penalties shall be subject to enforcement in accordance
with Title 26 of the New Jersey Statutes, as the same may now or be
hereafter amended.