The purpose of this article shall be to preserve the public peace and good order in the Village of Floral Park and to contribute to the public welfare and the preservation and protection of the property and persons of the residents of the Village by declaring and enforcing certain regulations on the feeding of animals and/or wildlife.
[Adopted 5-6-2025 by L.L. No. 2-2025[1]]
[1]
Editor's Note: This local law superseded former Art. IV, Cats, adopted 11-19-2024 by L.L. No. 7-2024.
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
Any animal which is not normally domesticated in New York State, including but not limited to coyotes, deer, foxes, groundhogs, opossums, raccoons, skunks, and nuisance birds other than songbirds or hummingbirds.
A.
No person shall provide food outdoors in any manner to animals or wildlife within the Village of Floral Park, except that the feeding of animals and wildlife is permitted on private property, provided that the person performing the feeding:
(1)
Has the permission and authorization of the property owner where the feeding is taking place;
(2)
Is physically present on the property and supervising where the feeding is taking place for the entire feeding period and must avoid the feeding of other unwanted wildlife;
(3)
Places the food or water in a container that must be removed at the end of each feeding period which will not exceed eight hours;
(4)
Does not leave the food outside uncovered overnight; and
(5)
Shall not purposely or knowingly leave or store any refuse, garbage, food product, pet food, forage product or supplement, salt, seed or birdseed, fruit, or grain in a manner that would attract animals and/or wildlife.
B.
Exceptions. The following individuals and organizations are permitted to feed wild animals; however, they must receive the permission of the property owner and/or the Village if done on public property:
(1)
Veterinarians or other trained professionals who are rehabilitating an injured or otherwise incapacitated wild animal;
(2)
Certified wildlife foundations or other nonprofit organizations which focus efforts on rehabilitating injured or otherwise incapacitated wild animals; and
(3)
Any agent of the Village authorized to implement an alternative control method set forth in any approved wild animal management plan.
A.
No person shall continue to harbor and/or feed animals and wildlife if the feeding and/or harboring of animals and wildlife creates an unreasonable disturbance that affects the rights of surrounding property owners and renders other persons insecure in the use of their property, or a nuisance such as: property damage, unsanitary conditions, pest infestation, offensive and objectionable odors, or a public health concern.
B.
Excessive dropping and/or feces accumulation or the attraction of rodents is considered an unreasonable disturbance on surrounding property owners. Droppings and/or feces must be removed from the property immediately and shall be disposed of by the person feeding or harboring the wildlife or animals in a sanitary manner by placing such feces in a proper receptacle located upon the premises or property of said person and must be deposed of at the next regularly scheduled sanitation pickup.
A.
The Superintendent of Building and/or the Superintendent of Public Works shall issue and promulgate such rules and regulations as he or she shall deem necessary to implement the provisions of this article. The rules and regulations issued by the Superintendent shall specifically address what constitutes both an unreasonable disturbance and an excessive accumulation of droppings and/or feces as referenced in § 10-21 of this article. The Superintendent of Building and/or the Superintendent of Public Works may at their sole discretion deem a property or portion of a property to be in violation of this law.
B.
Any person who shall violate any provision of this article shall be punishable, upon conviction, by a fine of not less than $100 and not exceeding $250. The Superintendent of Building and/or the Superintendent of Public Works can issue summons daily if in their sole discretion it is deemed necessary.