[Adopted 11-13-1997 by Ord. No. 97-41]
It is the purpose of this article to promote the health, safety and general welfare of the residents of the City by reducing the number of stray dogs and cats. The City finds that each year dogs and cats are euthanized in the City because they are unwanted. It is the purpose of this article to eliminate the excessive number of unwanted animals and thereby obviate the needless killing of these animals by restricting the breeding practices of pet owners and breeders through legislation that is both reasonable and enforceable. It is also the purpose of this article to create a mandatory licensing program for cats owned or harbored in the City.
The owner(s) of any dog or cat which is not spayed or neutered, not properly licensed, not currently inoculated with the rabies vaccination, or found abandoned and/or found running at large shall be in violation of this article and subject to the penalties provided in § 138-23.
A. 
First offense. The owner(s) of any dog or cat found to be in violation of § 138-22 of this article shall be given a written warning by the Code Enforcement Office and is required to meet all license and vaccination requirements as mandated by City ordinance and state law.
B. 
Second offense. A second offense is defined as a second violation of § 138-22 of this article which occurs within one year of the first offense. The owner(s) of any dog or cat found to be in violation of § 138-22 of this article shall be fined pursuant to Chapter 1, Article II, Violations and Penalties, for a second offense or, in lieu of the fine, shall have the cat/dog spayed or neutered within 30 days of the second offense. In the event the animal is not spayed or neutered within 30 days of the second offense, then the owner(s) of the cat or dog shall be fined pursuant to Chapter 1, Article II, Violations and Penalties. Proof of spaying or neutering from a veterinarian shall be provided to the Code Enforcement Office.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I)]
C. 
Third offense. A third offense is defined as a third violation of § 138-22 of this article within one year of the first offense. The owner(s) of any dog or cat found to be in violation of § 138-22 of this article shall be fined pursuant to Chapter 1, Article II, Violations and Penalties, for a third offense and is required to have the cat/dog spayed or neutered. Proof of spaying or neutering from a veterinarian shall be provided to the Code Enforcement Office.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I)]
New impound fees for cats and dogs shall be lower in the event the owner complies with the following guidelines:
A. 
Cat or dog is spayed or neutered.
B. 
Cat or dog is identified with license tag, tattoo, microchip or other reliable, approved ID; cat or dog is up-to-date on rabies vaccination, as required by Public Health Law for all cats/dogs over three months of age.
A. 
The annual local license fee for each cat over the age of three months which is owned of harbored within the City of Hazleton shall be as set pursuant to the Fee Schedule as adopted by resolution of City Council from time to time.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I)]
B. 
Said licenses shall be purchased on or before January 1 of each year from the Hazleton Code Enforcement Officer who shall have the power to enforce this article.