[Added 5-10-2005 by Ord.
No. 2005-22; amended 5-8-2012 by Ord. No. 2012-06]
The purpose of this article is to prohibit the feeding of unconfined
wildlife in or on any public or private property within the Township
of Cranford so as to protect public health, safety and welfare and
to prescribe penalties for failure to comply.
For the purpose of this article, the following terms, phrases,
words and their derivations shall have the meanings stated herein
unless their use in the text of this article clearly demonstrates
a different meaning. When not inconsistent with the context, words
used in the present tense include the future, words used in the plural
number include the singular number, and words used in the singular
number include the plural number. The word "shall" is always mandatory
and not merely directory.
To give, place, expose, deposit, distribute or scatter any
edible material with the intention of feeding, attracting or enticing
wildlife, including purposely or knowingly leaving or storing any
refuse, garbage, food product, pet food, forage product or supplement,
salt, seed or bird seeds, fruit, or grain in a manner that would constitute
an attractant to any wild animal or waterfowl. Feeding does not include
baiting in the legal taking of fish and/or game.
Any individual, corporation, company, partnership, firm,
association, or political subdivision of this state subject to municipal
jurisdiction.
All animals that are neither human nor domesticated.
A.
No person shall feed, on any public or private property on or in
the Township of Cranford, any wildlife, excluding confined wildlife
(for example, wildlife confined in zoos, parks, enclosures at a municipally
licensed circus or other exhibition or rehabilitation center, or unconfined
wildlife at environmental education centers or farm animals).
B.
No person shall feed on any public or private property deer or any of the other wildlife set forth in § 198-25 of this article. "Deer" means a ruminant animal having deciduous antler, or antlers, usually in a male only.
C.
Feeding of birds shall be permitted outdoors at such times and in
such numbers that:
(1)
Such
feeding does not create an unreasonable disturbance that affects the
rights of surrounding property owners and renders other persons insecure
in the use of their property;
(2)
Such
feeding does not create an accumulation of droppings on the property
and surrounding properties;
(3)
Such
feeding does not become an attractant for rodents or other wildlife
animals; and
(4)
Bird
feeders are placed at least four feet above the ground.
This article shall be enforced by the Police Department and/or
the Health Department of the Township of Cranford. Any person found
to be in violation of this article shall be ordered to cease the feeding
immediately.
Any person(s) who is found to be in violation of the provisions
of this article shall be subject to the following penalties:
A.
First offense. For a violation of the provisions of this article, the violator of said provision will be issued a written warning pursuant to § 198-27.
B.
Second offense. Subsequent to the issuance of a written warning,
for a violation of the provisions of this article, the violator of
said provision will be issued a summons and subject to a fine not
less than $100 nor more than $500 and/or to a period of community
service not to exceed 30 days.
C.
Third and subsequent offense(s). For any subsequent violation of
the provisions of this article, the violator of said provision will
be issued a summons and subject to a fine not less than $100 nor more
than $1,000 and/or to a period of community service not to exceed
90 days.
