[1]
Editor's Note: Prior ordinance history includes portions of Ordinance No. BH-2-90.
[Ord. No. BH-1-07 § 1]
For purposes of this section the following terms shall have the meanings set forth below.
Shall mean and include any member of the domestic feline species, male, female or neutered which has attained the age of seven months of which possesses a set of teeth.
Shall mean a certificate issued by a duly licensed veterinarian stating that because of an infirmity, other physical condition or regimen of therapy, the inoculation of a particular cat against rabies is deemed inadvisable.
Shall mean and include any person who has a right of property in or custody of a cat, who harbors or maintains a cat, or who knowingly permits a cat to remain on or about any premises occupied by that person within the Township of Chatham.
Shall mean a person whose ordinary dwelling place is within the Township of Chatham.
[Ord. No. BH-1-07 § 2]
a.
Every resident of the Township of Chatham who is the owner of a cat shall have and keep such cat inoculated against rabies through October of the year the license of said cat is issued, unless a certificate of exemption issued to such cat is currently effective.
b.
All cats shall be vaccinated against rabies by a licensed veterinarian in accordance with the latest Compendium of Animal Rabies Vaccines and Recommendations for Immunization, published by the National Association of State Public Health Veterinarians.
[Ord. No. BH-1-07 § 3]
a.
Any person who shall own, keep or harbor a cat of licensing age (seven months) shall annually, in January, apply for and procure from the Animal Licensing Clerk a license and official metal registration tag for each cat owned, kept or harbored. License tags are not transferable.
b.
Whenever any person commences to own, keep or harbor a cat of licensing age after January 31 in any year, that person shall comply with the aforesaid licensing requirement within 10 days after the cat is acquired or becomes of licensing age.
c.
Any person who shall bring in or cause to be brought into the Township of Chatham any cat licensed in another state for the current year and possessing a registration tag, and who shall keep the same or permit the same to be kept within the Township of Chatham for a period of more than 90 days shall immediately apply for a license and registration tag for each such cat. Any person who shall bring in or cause to be brought into the Township of Chatham any unlicensed cat from another state and who shall keep the same or permit the same to be kept within the Township of Chatham for a period of more than 10 days shall immediately apply for a license and registration tag for each such cat.
d.
The current valid license of a cat brought into the Township of Chatham from another municipality shall remain in effect until its expiration date, as issued by the foreign municipality. Thereafter, any owner of a cat shall have 10 days following expiration of said license, to apply to the Township of Chatham for a new license and registration tag.
e.
The license application shall state the breed, sex, age, color and markings of the cat for which license and registration are sought and whether it is of a long or short-haired variety. The name and street address of the owner of such cat shall also be provided.
f.
License forms and official tags shall be furnished by the Animal Licensing Clerk and shall be numbered sequentially and shall bear the year of issuance and the name of the municipality.
g.
The Animal Licensing Clerk shall not issue a license and registration tag for any cat unless the owner thereof provides evidence that the cat to be licensed and registered has been inoculated with a rabies vaccine, as provided by subsection BH6-1.2 of this chapter. The rabies inoculation shall be administered by a duly licensed veterinarian permitted by law to do the same.
h.
A license shall be issued after payment of an annual fee of $8 for each cat that is spayed or neutered and an annual fee of $11 for each cat that is not spayed or neutered. Persons who fail to obtain a license as required within the time period specified in this section shall be subject to a late fee of $5.
i.
If a cat license tag has been misplaced or lost, the Animal Licensing Clerk may issue a duplicate registration tag for the particular cat for a fee of $5.
j.
Proof of cat licensing shall be produced by any person owning, keeping, maintaining or harboring a cat, upon the request of any health official, police officer, Animal Control Officer or other authorized person.
k.
Any person who violates or fails or refuses to comply with the provisions of this section shall be liable for a penalty not less than $25 and not more than $500. Each day that a violation of or failure or refusal to comply with the provisions of this section shall constitute a separate offense.