[Adopted 10-17-2016 by Ord. No. 1265; amended in its entirety 6-24-2019 by Ord. No. 1357]
For the purpose of this article, the following terms shall have
the meaning set forth in this section. When not inconsistent with
the context, words used in the present tense include the future, the
words in the plural number include the singular, words in the singular
number include the plural, and words in the male gender include the
female gender.
That an owner or caregiver has forsaken a domesticated cat
entirely, or has neglected or refused to provide care and support
of the cat.
Any person employed or appointed by the Township who is authorized
to investigate violations of laws and regulations concerning animals
and to issue citations in accordance with New Jersey Law and this
chapter.
A cat that is socialized to humans and is appropriate as
a companion to humans.
A cat which is completely or substantially unsocialized to
humans. The usual and consistent temperament of a feral cat is extreme
fear and resistance to contact with humans. Feral cats are:
A group of cats that congregate together outside as a unit.
Although not every cat in a colony may be feral, any nonferal cats
who congregate with a colony shall be deemed part of it.
Disturbing the peace by:
Any person, fine, corporation, partnership, association,
trust, estate, or any other legal entity.
A not-for-profit entity or collaboration of individuals with
at least one of its purposes being the adoption or placement of cats
in homes with humans to serve as companion animals.
A cat who is regularly off the property of the owner, is
not under the physical control and restraint of the owner and is not
regularly provided with food by the owner.
Shelter that provides protection from rain, sun, and other
elements that is adequate to protect the health of the cat.
A cat who is socialized to humans and is appropriate as a
companion for humans.
Trap, neuter and return.
Little Falls Township in the County of Passaic.
Feral cat colonies are not permitted.
When an Animal Control Officer has trapped a feral cat, the
officer shall take the cat to a shelter or holding facility and scan
the cat for an EAID. If an EAID is found which further identifies
the cat, the officer shall contact the person named as owner of the
cat with this information.
The Township shall have the following rights:
A.Â
The right to seize or remove cats from a feral colony which have
not been vaccinated against rabies and which are demonstrating the
disease.
B.Â
The right to seize or remove a cat from a feral colony which is creating
a nuisance as defined above, after the caregiver has been given 60
days to remove and relocate the cat and has failed to do so. The caregiver
must begin nuisance abatement procedures within 48 hours after being
notified of a nuisance by the Animal Control Officer and must take
all reasonable steps to resolve the nuisance in as short a time period
as possible, not to exceed 60 days.
C.Â
The Township may designate, by resolution, a specific rescue group
to assist with the enforcement for the purposes of adoption or placement
of cats in homes with humans to serve as companion animals.
The requirements of this article notwithstanding, Animal Control
Officers and police officers may investigate any nuisance complaint.
If an Animal Control Officer or police officer determines that a feral
colony cat is causing nuisance as defined by this article, the Animal
Control Officer or police officer shall contact the owner of the property.
The owner shall begin nuisance abatement procedures within 48 hours
and make all reasonable efforts to resolve the nuisance in as short
a time period as possible, not to exceed 60 days. If the owner fails
to resolve the nuisance within 60 days, the Animal Control Officer
may remove the colony. If an Animal Control Officer or police officer
reasonably determines that cat or cats are injured or pose a significant
threat to public health, the office may reduce the time that the owner
has to resolve the complaint, as necessary to protect the cat and
public health, before taking further action. In the case of an emergency,
the Animal Control Officer or police officer may remove the cat or
cats, but within 24 hours the Township must provide the owner with
notice of the cat's whereabouts and allow the owner an opportunity
to retrieve the cat for treatment, return, or relocation.
A.Â
Owners of domesticated cats shall provide appropriate and adequate
food, water, and shelter for their cats.
B.Â
The owner of a domesticated cat shall exercise reasonable care to
guard against the cat creating a nuisance.
C.Â
The owner of a sexually intact (not spayed or neutered) domesticated
cat shall not permit his/her cat to roam unsupervised.
D.Â
An owner shall not abandon a domesticated cat.
B.Â
Except as otherwise provided in this article, any person who continues
to fail or refuses to comply with this article shall be liable for
subsequent penalties of not more than $2,000 or imprisonment or community
service for not more than 90 days, at the discretion of any judge
hearing a complaint brought pursuant to this article.
To the extent any existing ordinance may conflict with any of
the terms of this article, this article shall control.
