The purpose and intent of this article shall be to preserve
the public peace and good order of the City of Hornell and to contribute
to the public welfare and the preservation and protection of the property
and the person of inhabitants of said city by declaring and enforcing
certain regulations and restrictions on activities of cats and owners
of cats within the City of Hornell.
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the
meaning indicated.
ABANDONED
A cat of any age, which shall be left either without food,
wafer or shelter or unattended for a period of at least 72 hours.
ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICER
The person or persons or company appointed by the City of
Hornell or under contract with the City of Hornell to the position
of animal control officer charged to carry out enforcement of the
provisions of this article. This person shall have the powers of a
constable or other peace officer in the execution of the provisions
of this article.
CAREGIVERS
Any person who provides food, water and shelter to feral
cats.
CAT
Any member of the domestic feline species.
FERAL CAT
A descendant of a domestic cat that has returned to the wild.
It is distinguished from a stray cat, which is a pet cat that has
been lost or abandoned. Feral cats are born in the wild.
IDENTIFICATION
Registered cats will need a tag which sets forth an official
identification number as required by the provisions of this article.
A microchip also constitutes an identification tag. Feral cats that
have gone through the TNR program will be identified by a "notched"
ear, tattoo or any such marking as designed by a duly designated enforcement
officer.
LANDLORD
An owner of real property who leases (rents) that property
to a tenant under a lease agreement or oral tenancy.
OWNER
When applied to the proprietorship of a cat, shall include
any person having a right of property or custody in such cat, and
any 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
or vehicle owned or occupied by that person. If the owner of the cat
is a minor, the owner of the said property shall be deemed to be the
parent or guardian of the minor for the purposes of this section.
PERSON
Any individual, corporation, partnership, organization or
association of persons commonly recognized as such by law.
STRAY CAT
A pet cat that has been lost or abandoned.
This article shall apply to all cats harbored within the City
of Hornell. Cats that are found to be feral will be placed in the
TNR program and returned to a feral cat colony within the City. Stray
cats that are found are to be sent to a duly designated shelter and
held for five days and, if not claimed, put up for adoption.
It shall be the duty of the Animal Control Officer or a member
of the City of Hornell Police Department or any other person designated
by the City to bring action against any person, within the City limits,
who has committed any violation as set forth in this article.
The Mayor, with the approval of the Common Council, may enter
into such agreement or agreements with the Humane Society of Hornell
or other such organization pertaining to cat control and care within
the City as may be deemed advisable. This includes, but is not limited
to, the housing of abandoned cats and assisting in the TNR program.