[R.O. 2006 § 205.010; Ord. No. 408 § 2, 8-11-1997]
As used in this Article, the following terms shall have these prescribed meanings:
ADEQUATE CARE
Normal and prudent attention to the needs of an animal, including wholesome food, clean water, shelter and health care as necessary to maintain good health in a specific species of animal.
ADEQUATE CONTROL
To reasonably restrain or govern an animal so that the animal does not injure itself, any person, any other animal or property.
ANIMAL
Every living vertebrate except a human being.
ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICER
The duly authorized and appointed City of Dixon employee, or such person's delegated representative, who has responsibility for enforcement of this Chapter, and who is responsible for the care and custody of all animals seized or held by the City of Dixon.
ANIMAL SHELTER
A facility which is used to house or contain animals and which is owned, operated or maintained by the City, by any other municipality of the State of Missouri or a duly incorporated humane society, animal welfare society, society for the prevention of cruelty to animals or other not-for-profit organization devoted to the welfare, protection and humane treatment of animals.
HARBOR
To feed or shelter an animal at the same location for three (3) or more consecutive days.
HUMANE KILLING
The destruction of an animal accomplished by a method approved by the American Veterinary Medical Association's Panel on Euthanasia (JAVMA 173: 59-72, 1978) or more recent additions, but animals killed during the feeding of pet carnivores shall be considered humanely killed.
KEEPER
Any person who keeps or harbors an animal or professes to be keeping or harboring an animal.
OWNER
In addition to its ordinary meaning, any person who keeps or harbors an animal or professes to be owning, keeping, or harboring an animal.
PERSON
Any individual, partnership, firm, joint stock company, corporation, association, trust, estate or other legal entity.
[R.O. 2006 § 205.020; Ord. No. 408 § 3, 8-11-1997; Ord. No. 568, 1-7-2019]
Every person owning, keeping, harboring or permitting a dog to remain on his/her premises shall register and secure a license for such dog if over the age of six (6) months. Dog licenses shall be issued by the City license officer upon payment of the license fee of fifteen dollars ($15.00) for each spayed female or neutered male and fifteen dollars ($15.00) for each unneutered male or unspayed female. Application for a dog license shall be made by the owner on a printed form, provided by the City for that purpose, upon which he shall state his name and address, and the name, breed, color and sex of each dog owned or kept by him. Before any dog license shall be issued, the owner shall present the licensing officer a certificate of vaccination from a licensed veterinarian showing that such veterinarian has vaccinated the dog sought to be licensed with an anti-rabies vaccine, certification from a veterinarian verifying neutering or spaying and the licensing officer shall take a photo of the dog for City records. This provision of the Section shall not apply to a dog whose owner is a non-resident temporarily within the City not to exceed thirty (30) days, nor to "leader" dogs which have been vaccinated, are trained, certified and actually used to assist a handicapped person. However, "leader" dogs may be registered by the owner thereof, but no annual license fee shall be charged for same. Licenses shall be issued for the calendar year beginning January 1 and shall be delinquent after March 1, after which the applicant shall be assessed a penalty of fifty percent (50%) of the license fee if the dog was of the age of six (6) months by March 1.
[R.O. 2006 § 205.030; Ord. No. 408 § 4, 8-11-1997; Ord. No. 568, 1-7-2019]
Upon payment of the license fee, the City Collector shall issue to the owner a license certificate and a metallic tag for the dog so licensed. Every owner shall be required to provide each dog with a collar to which the license tag shall be affixed and shall see that the collar and the tag are worn constantly unless the dog, accompanied by the owner, is engaged in hunting or other sport where a collar might endanger the dog's safety. In this instance, the owner shall produce the tag or other proof of ownership if so requested by the Animal Control Officer. In case a dog tag is lost or destroyed, a duplicate shall be issued by the licensing officer upon presentation of a certificate showing the license fee paid for the current year and the payment of a fifty cent ($0.50) fee for such duplicate. Dog tags shall not be transferable from one (1) dog to another and no refunds shall be made on any dog license tax because of the death or loss of the dog or the owners leaving the City before the expiration of the license period. No person shall remove or cause to be removed the collar or tag from any dog without consent of the owner or keeper thereof.
[R.O. 2006 § 205.040; Ord. No. 408 § 5, 8-11-1997]
It shall be unlawful for an owner or keeper of an animal to let such animal "run at large," which is defined to mean off the premises of the owner or keeper and not under the control of the owner, keeper or responsible member of the household of the keeper or owner. A dog is under control if it is under the immediate and effective restraint of the keeper, owner or responsible member of the household of the keeper or owner.
[R.O. 2006 § 205.050; Ord. No. 408 § 6, 8-11-1997]
Any animal found running at large within the City will be humanely handled and captured by the Animal Control Officer and returned to the person making claim for the animal or the person making application for license as designated on file at City Hall. The licensee or person making claim for the animal shall be considered the owner or keeper of said animal by virtue of the license application or the claim made and may be cited for permitting an animal to run at large. The offense is punishable as authorized by Chapter 100, Article III, of this Code.
[R.O. 2006 § 205.060; Ord. No. 408 § 7, 8-11-1997; Ord. No. 568, 1-7-2019]
Any animal running at large within the City of Dixon, Missouri, whose licensed applicant, owner or keeper cannot be found or is not wearing a collar bearing a license tag as provided in Sections 205.020 and 205.030 above shall be captured by the Animal Control Officer and impounded at some suitable place for a period of one (1) week, during which time it shall be the responsibility of the Animal Control Officer to see that such animal is fed and watered. When animals are found running at large and their ownership is known to the Animal Control Officer, such animal shall be returned to the owner and the provisions of the foregoing Sections shall be followed. In any event upon impounding animals, the Animal Control Officer will make every possible effort to notify the owner of the animal so impounded and inform the owner of the conditions whereby they may regain custody of such animal. For those individuals that want to voluntarily relinquish ownership of their dog to the City of Dixon, Missouri, Animal Shelter, a re-homing fee of fifty dollars ($50.00) will be charged. At no time shall an owner be able to relinquish ownership of a vicious or dangerous dog, as per Section 578.024, RSMo., to the City of Dixon, Missouri Animal Shelter.
[R.O. 2006 § 205.070; Ord. No. 408 § 8, 8-11-1997; Ord. No. 568, 1-7-2019]
The owner of a dog shall be entitled to resume possession of any impounded dog within one (1) week before it is put up for adoption. The resumption of possession shall only be upon compliance with the licensing provisions of Sections 205.020 and 205.030, the presentation and verification of the required up to date anti-rabies vaccination, the payment for microchipping of the dog, any veterinarian fees incurred for the dog during impoundment and the payment of the impoundment fee in the amount of twelve dollars ($12.00) per day or any fraction thereof such dog was kept.
[R.O. 2006 § 205.080; Ord. No. 408 § 9, 8-11-1997; Ord. No. 568, 1-7-2019]
Any animal impounded under the provisions of this Chapter and not reclaimed by the owner within one (1) week may be placed in the custody of some person deemed by the Animal Control Officer to be a responsible and suitable owner who will comply with the provisions of this Chapter and pay the adoption fees and if such animal is an unspayed female, will agree to have such female spayed within ninety (90) days. Dogs may be adopted upon payment of an adoption fee of one hundred dollars ($100.00) in addition to meeting the requirements in Section 205.070 of this Chapter for owners to resume possession of a dog. Diseased or dying animals may be humanely destroyed at the time of collection except that if the owner can be discovered from the tags or microchip implanted on the animal, he/she will be notified prior to disposing of the animal.
[R.O. 2006 § 205.090; Ord. No. 408 § 10, 8-11-1997]
A. 
Required Confinement And Notice To Authorities. Any animal that shall bite any person or other animal causing an abrasion of the skin shall be immediately confined for a period of ten (10) days. It shall be the duty of the person owning or keeping any animal to be about his/her premises to notify the City Animal Control Officer or City Police immediately upon knowledge or notice that such animal has bitten any person or other animal and if such animal has been or will be delivered to a veterinarian.
B. 
Required Immediate Veterinary Examination. All animals subject to confinement will as quickly as practicable be transported by the owner or keeper or by the Animal Control Officer to a licensed veterinarian for examination.
C. 
Home Confinement. If, upon examination, the first offender animal is free of apparent signs of central nervous system disease and has received a rabies vaccination more than thirty (30) days prior to the bite and not more remotely than one (1) year or has received a vaccination more remotely than one (1) year and has a certificate from a licensed veterinarian certifying the continuing effectiveness of such vaccination, the owner with facilities to and who will assure the Animal Control Officer of his/her commitment to do so will be permitted to confine the animal for ten (10) days conditioned upon his/her undertaking to have the animal examined by a licensed veterinarian on the 10th day with reports of the examination to be made expeditiously to the Police Department or Animal Control Officer. If, in-home confinement, an animal is not maintained in confinement, it will be picked up by the Animal Control Officer and confined in the facilities of a licensed veterinarian.
D. 
Veterinarian Confinement. In all cases other than those described in Subsection (C) above, the animal will be confined in the facilities of a licensed veterinarian.
E. 
Payment Of All Veterinary Charges. All inspection confinement charges of the veterinarian will be paid by the person owning or harboring the animal. If the animal is not claimed by the owner at the end of confinement period, the animal will be impounded by the City and released to the owner only upon payment of all veterinary charges and fees set forth in Section 205.070 above. If not claimed within one (1) week, Section 205.080 will apply.
F. 
Disposition Of Animal Without Quarantine Observation Prohibited. It shall be unlawful for any person, with notice or knowledge that an animal owned, kept or permitted to remain about his/her premises has bitten any person, to dispose of such animal in any manner.
G. 
Death While Confined — Duty To Notify Police Department Or Animal Control Officer. The Animal Control Officer of the City or a veterinarian or owner shall notify the Police Department immediately of the death of any animal while under his/her observation or care. All animals which have bitten any person shall be secured in such a manner so as to prevent their biting other animals while such animal remains in the City pound or in the care of a veterinarian.
H. 
Destruction Of Dangerous Animal Prior To Quarantine — Laboratory Examination Of Brain. If any dangerous, fierce or vicious animal cannot be safely taken up or impounded, such animal shall be slain by any Police Officer. In all cases where the animal has bitten a person or caused an abrasion of the skin is slain by any Police Officer, whether by order of court or otherwise, and a period of less than fifteen (15) days has elapsed since the day upon which such animal bit any person or caused an abrasion of the skin of any person, it shall be the duty of the Chief of Police to cause to be delivered without delay the head with brain of such animal to the State Division of Health laboratory or other authorized laboratory for analysis.
I. 
Emergency Epidemic Controls. Whenever rabies becomes prevalent in any city, town or village in this state, the mayor of such city, town or village shall, according to the necessity of the case, issue a quarantine order, requiring every owner or person in charge of any dog or dogs within the limits of such city, town or village, to either kill or impound his dog or dogs, or to have such dog or dogs immunized. Said order shall be published once in the paper officially publishing the business of such city or town; and in the absence of such paper, shall be posted as in case of sales of personal property. The mayor of such city, town or village is authorized by proclamation, to terminate any such quarantine whenever, in his judgment, the necessity for it no longer exists.
J. 
Disposition Of Animal Bitten Or Scratched By Another Animal. If an animal which has either not been vaccinated for rabies or has not received timely booster vaccinations for same is bitten or scratched by an animal adjudged to be rabid, such animal shall be forthwith destroyed or held under six (6) months' quarantine by the owner in the same manner as other animals are quarantined. If an animal which has been vaccinated for rabies is bitten or scratched by an animal adjudged to be rabid, such animal shall be given a rabies booster vaccination and shall be watched for abnormal behavior for a period of thirty (30) days. If an animal is bitten or scratched by an animal and it is not known whether the animal is rabid, the bitten or scratched animal shall be quarantined for a period of six (6) months.
K. 
Disposition Of Animals After Quarantine. Any animal which becomes rabid during the period it is confined shall be killed and the Chief of Police shall deliver the head with the brain of such animal to the State laboratory or other authorized laboratory for analysis.
A. 
A person commits the offense of animal neglect if he or she:
1. 
Has custody or ownership of an animal and fails to provide adequate care; or
2. 
Knowingly abandons an animal in any place without making provisions for its adequate care.
B. 
All fines and penalties for a first finding of guilt under this Section may be waived by the court if the person found guilty of animal neglect shows that adequate, permanent remedies for the neglect have been made. Reasonable costs incurred for the care and maintenance of neglected animals may not be waived. This Section shall not apply to the provisions of Section 578.007, RSMo., or Chapter 272, RSMo.
C. 
In addition to any other penalty imposed by Section 578.009, RSMo., the court may order a person found guilty of animal neglect to pay all reasonable costs and expenses necessary for:
1. 
The care and maintenance of neglected animals within the person's custody or ownership;
2. 
The disposal of any dead or diseased animals within the person's custody or ownership;
3. 
The reduction of resulting organic debris affecting the immediate area of the neglect; and
4. 
The avoidance or minimization of any public health risks created by the neglect of the animals.
A. 
A person is guilty of animal trespass if a person having ownership or custody of an animal knowingly fails to provide adequate control for a period equal to or exceeding twelve (12) hours.
B. 
For a first conviction of animal trespass, each offense shall be punishable by a fine not to exceed two hundred dollars ($200.00). The second and all subsequent convictions shall be punishable by imprisonment or a fine not to exceed five hundred dollars ($500.00), or both such fine and imprisonment. All fines for a first conviction of animal trespass may be waived by the court, provided that the person found guilty of animal trespass shows that adequate, permanent remedies for trespass have been made. Reasonable costs incurred for the care and maintenance of trespassing animals may not be waived. This Section shall not apply to the provisions of Section 578.007 or Sections 272.010 to 272.370, RSMo.
A. 
A person commits the offense of animal abuse if he or she:
1. 
Intentionally or purposely kills an animal in any manner not allowed by or expressly exempted from the provisions of Sections 578.005 to 578.023 and 273.030, RSMo.;
2. 
Purposely or intentionally causes injury or suffering to an animal; or
3. 
Having ownership or custody of an animal knowingly fails to provide adequate care which results in substantial harm to the animal.
[1]
Note: Under certain circumstances this offense can be a felony under state law.
[R.O. 2006 § 205.130; Ord. No. 408 § 14, 8-11-1997]
A. 
Any duly authorized public health official or law enforcement official may seek a warrant from the appropriate court to enable him/her to enter private property in order to inspect, care for or impound neglected or abused animals. All requests for such warrants shall be accompanied by an affidavit stating the probable cause to believe a violation of this Chapter has occurred. A person acting under the authority of a warrant shall:
1. 
Be given a disposition hearing before the court through which the warrant was issued, within thirty (30) days of the filing of the request, for the purpose of granting immediate disposition of the animals impounded;
2. 
Place impounded animals in the care or custody of a veterinarian, the appropriate animal control authority or an animal shelter. If no appropriate veterinarian, animal control authority or animal shelter is available, the animal shall not be impounded unless it is diseased or disabled beyond recovery for any useful purpose;
3. 
Humanely kill any animal impounded if it is determined by a licensed veterinarian that the animal is diseased or disabled beyond recovery for any useful purpose;
4. 
Not be liable for any necessary damage to property while acting under such warrant.
B. 
The owner or custodian of any person claiming an interest in any animal that has been impounded because of neglect or abuse may prevent disposition of the animal by posting a bond or security in an amount sufficient to provide for the animal's care and keeping for at least thirty (30) days, inclusive of the date on which the animal was taken into custody. Notwithstanding the fact that bond may be posted pursuant to this Subsection, the authority having custody of the animal may humanely dispose of the animal at the end of the time for which expenses are covered by the bond or security, unless there is a court order prohibiting such disposition. Such order shall provide for a bond or other security in the amount necessary to protect the authority having custody of the animal from any cost of the care, keeping or disposal of the animal. The authority taking custody of an animal shall give notice of the provisions of this Section by posting a copy of this Section at the place where the animal was taken into custody or by delivering it to a person residing on the property.
C. 
The owner or custodian of any animal humanely killed pursuant to this Section shall not be entitled to recover any damages related to nor the actual value of the animal if the animal was found by a licensed veterinarian to be diseased or disabled or if the owner or custodian failed to post bond or security for the care, keeping and disposition of the animal after being notified of impoundment.
[R.O. 2006 § 205.140; Ord. No. 408 § 15, 8-11-1997]
If a person is found guilty of a violation of the Sections of this Chapter governing animal neglect and animal abuse and the court having jurisdiction is satisfied that an animal owned or controlled by such person would in the future be subject to such neglect or abuse, such animal shall not be returned to or allowed to remain with such person, but its disposition shall be determined by the court.
[R.O. 2006 § 205.150; Ord. No. 408 § 16, 8-11-1997]
A. 
Definition. For the purpose of this Section, a "dangerous animal" shall be any animal possessing any one (1) or more of the following characteristics or falling within one (1) or more of the definitions hereinafter set forth in this Section:
1. 
Any animal which has inflicted severe or fatal injuries on a human. "Severe injury" means any physical injury resulting directly from an animal's conduct which proximately causes either a broken bone, a laceration requiring sutures or in-patient hospitalization.
2. 
Any animal which has killed a domestic animal, without provocation, at a location other than on said animal owner's property.
3. 
Any animal owned or harbored primarily or in part for the purpose of animal fighting or any animal which has been trained for animal fighting.
4. 
Any animal which has bitten a human, without provocation, on public or private property, other than the property of the owner of the animal.
5. 
Any animal which, while on the property of its owner, has bitten, without provocation, a human, other than the owner or a member of the owner's family who normally resides at the place where the said animal is kept.
B. 
Procedure For Declaring An Animal To Be A Dangerous Animal.
1. 
In the event a written complaint is filed with the Animal Control Officer of the City of Dixon, Missouri, or a Police Officer of the City of Dixon, Missouri, alleging that an animal is a dangerous animal as defined above, the Animal Control Officer or Police Officer shall issue a notice to the owner or the individual in possession of said animal that said animal may be designated a dangerous animal, subject to the regulations of this Chapter, and advise the owner or possessor of said animal that he/she has five (5) working days, excluding Saturday and Sunday and holidays, in which to request a hearing before the Hearing Board to appeal such classification. Such appeal shall further be filed in writing with the Presiding Officer of the Hearing Board. If no request for hearing is timely filed, the Hearing Board shall enter its order finding that said animal is a dangerous animal, that said animal and its owner or possessor shall be subject to the provisions of this Chapter. The Animal Control Officer or Police Officer to whom the aforesaid complaint is made shall promptly transmit said complaint unto the Presiding Officer of the aforesaid Hearing Board.
2. 
The Hearing Board shall convene whether a request for hearing is filed by the owner or possessor of said animal or not within ten (10) days of receipt of the written complaint and shall make a determination as to whether or not the animal complained about is a dangerous animal within the definition of this Section. In the event the Hearing Board determines that the animal is a dangerous animal, then the animal and its owner shall be subject to the provisions of this Chapter, and the animal shall be confined by the City of Dixon, Missouri, at the owner or possessor's expense, until the owner or possessor of said animal complies with the provisions of this Chapter, as well as any State Regulations.
C. 
Hearing Board Composition. The Hearing Board shall be composed of the Mayor, the Board of Aldermen and the Chief of Police.
D. 
Action To Be Taken Upon Determination That An Animal Is A Dangerous Animal Pursuant To This Section. A dangerous animal shall not be permitted to be harbored, kept or possessed within the City limits of Dixon, Missouri, unless and until the owner or possessor of such animal satisfy all requirements of the following Subsection.
E. 
Owner Or Possessor Of Dangerous Animals Duties. The owner or possessor of a dangerous animal, who desires to continue to harbor, keep or possess said animal within the City limits of Dixon, Missouri, shall:
1. 
Register said animal with the City Clerk as a dangerous animal by paying a license fee of fifty dollars ($50.00). Said registration shall be on an annual basis.
2. 
Make said animal available unto a representative of the City of Dixon, Missouri, for the purpose of photographing said animal for identification purposes, which photograph shall be kept and maintained as part of the registration file pertaining to said animal.
3. 
The owner or possessor of said animal shall require said animal to wear at all times a bright orange collar with a metal registration tag attached to it so that it can be readily identified as a dangerous animal.
4. 
The owner or possessor of such animal shall cause such animal to be confined at all times upon the owner's premises, either indoors or in a securely enclosed and locked pen constructed in such manner as to prevent the animal from escaping. The sides of such pen must be at least five (5) feet by ten (10) feet and such pen must have a secure enclosed top. If the walls of the pen are not secured to the bottom, then the walls of the pen shall be embedded in the ground no less than twelve (12) inches. The enclosure, when occupied by the dangerous animal, must not be occupied by any other animal, except in the event the dangerous animal is a female and has a litter of young which are less than three (3) months of age. The young may occupy the same enclosure as their mother.
5. 
The owner or possessor of such animal shall cause to be displayed a sign upon the premises upon which said animal is kept conspicuously indicating that a dangerous animal is kept and maintained on the property. The sign shall be visible and capable of being read from the public street that abuts the property.
6. 
Provide, as a condition of registration of said dangerous animal, proof of financial responsibility. "Proof of financial responsibility" shall be defined as proof of the owner or possessor of said animal's ability to respond in damages for liability on account of occurrence arising out of the ownership or possession of the aforedescribed dangerous animal in the amount of one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000.00) because of bodily injury or death in any one (1) occurrence.
F. 
Proof Of Financial Responsibility — How Given. Proof of financial responsibility, when required under this Section with respect to a dangerous animal, shall be given by:
1. 
The filing with the Clerk of the City of Dixon, Missouri, of a written certificate of any insurance company duly authorized to do business in this State certifying that there is in effect a policy of liability insurance insuring the one owning or possessing the dangerous animal for damages in the amount as set forth aforesaid for liability on account of occurrences arising out of the ownership and possession of said dangerous animal.
2. 
By fling with the Clerk of the City Court a bond of surety company duly authorized to transact business in this State or a bond with at least two (2) individual sureties, each owning real estate within this State, and together having equities equal in value to at least the amount of such bond, which real estate shall be scheduled and the bond approved by the City Clerk. Such bond shall be conditioned for payment in amounts that under the same circumstances as would be required in a liability policy as hereinbefore referred to and shall not be canceled except after ten (10) days' written notice to the City Clerk.
G. 
Penalty For Violations Of Dangerous Animal Provisions.
1. 
It shall be unlawful for any person who has failed to comply with the provisions of this Section regarding dangerous animals to keep, possess or harbor a dangerous animal as defined by this Section within the City limits of Dixon, Missouri. Potential violators of this Section shall be subject to the penalty provisions set forth in Chapter 100, Article III, of this Code.
2. 
Any animal which has been found, as hereinbefore provided, to be a dangerous animal and which is thereafter kept, possessed or maintained in the City of Dixon, Missouri, in violation of the provisions of this Section shall be subject to seizure and impoundment until the owner or possessor thereof complies with the provisions of this Section. If the owner or possessor of said animal fails to comply with the provisions of this Section within forty-five (45) days of the date of seizure of the aforesaid animal, the aforesaid animal shall be destroyed.
[R.O. 2006 § 205.160; Ord. No. 408 § 17, 8-11-1997]
It shall be unlawful for any person to own, keep or harbor any animal which, by loud, frequent or habitual barking, howling or yelping, shall annoy or disturb any neighborhood or person or by habitually jumping upon or threatening persons upon public streets shall cause persons thereon to be put in fear of injury or habitually spreads garbage or habitually attacks other animals. Violations of this Section shall be governed by Chapter 100, Article III, of this Code.
[R.O. 2006 § 205.170; Ord. No. 408 § 18, 8-11-1997]
It shall be unlawful for any person to own, keep or harbor any animal which does damage to shrubs, gardens or property of another person. Violations of this Section shall be governed by Chapter 100, Article III, of this Code.
[R.O. 2006 § 205.180; Ord. No. 408 § 19, 8-11-1997]
An owner is at all times required to clean or remove excretions of his/her animal. Violations of this Section shall be governed by Chapter 100, Article III, of this Code.
[Ord. No. 555, 2-6-2017]
A. 
Definitions. For the purposes of the Section, the following terms shall have the following meanings:
COMMUNITY CAT
A cat that is abandoned, stray, lost, or feral and cared for by a community cat caregiver pursuant to this Section.
COMMUNITY CAT CAREGIVER
A person who, in accordance with and pursuant to a policy of Trap-Neuter-Return, provides care, including, food, shelter or medical care to a community cat, while not being considered the owner, harborer, controller, or keeper of a community cat.
EARTIPPING
The removal of the one fourth (1/4) inch tip of a community cat's ear, performed while the cat is under anesthesia, in compliance with any applicable Federal and State law, and under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian, designed to identify the community cat as being sterilized and lawfully vaccinated for rabies.
TRAP-NEUTER-RETURN
The process of humanely trapping, sterilizing, vaccinating for rabies, eartipping and returning community cats to their original location.
B. 
Permitted Acts. The following actions shall be permitted in the City in pursuance of a process of Trap-Neuter-Return:
1. 
Trapping, for the sole purpose of sterilizing, vaccinating for rabies, and eartipping community cats, in compliance with applicable Federal and/or State law, and under the supervision and it licensed veterinarian, applicable.
2. 
An eartipped cat received by local shelters will be returned to the location where trapped unless veterinary care is required. A trapped and eartipped cat will be released on site unless veterinary care is required.
3. 
Community cat caregivers are empowered to reclaim impounded community cats without proof of ownership solely for the purpose of the implementation of the process of Trap-Neuter-Return as more particularly provided in this Section.