[Adopted 12-10-2024 by Ord. No. 2024-12]
This article establishes requirements for the proper disposal of pet solid waste in the Village of Ridgefield Park to protect the environment, public health, safety, and welfare, and to prescribe penalties for failure to comply.
For the purpose of this article, the following terms, phrases, words, and their derivations, shall have the meanings stated herein unless their use in the text of this article clearly demonstrates a different meaning. When consistent with the context, words used in the present tense include the future, words used in the plural number include the singular number, and words used in the singular number include the plural number. The word "shall" is always mandatory and not merely directory.
OWNER/KEEPER
Any person who shall possess, maintain, house, or harbor any pet or otherwise have custody of any pet, whether or not the owner of such pet.
PERSON
Any individual, corporation, company, partnership, firm, association, or political subdivision of this state subject to municipal jurisdiction.
PET
Any domesticated animal kept for companionship.
PET SOLID WASTE
Feces from any domesticated animal.
PROPER DISPOSAL
Placement in a designated waste receptacle or other suitable container which is regularly emptied by the Village or some other refuse collector, or disposal into a system designed to convey domestic sewage for proper treatment and disposal.
All pet owners and keepers are required to immediately and properly dispose of their pets' solid waste deposited on any property, public or private, not owned or possessed by that person.
Any owner or keeper who requires the use of a disability assistance animal for disabilities such as vision or hearing loss, or other physical disabilities, shall be exempt from the provisions of this article while such animal is being used for that purpose. This exemption is not applicable to pets that are exclusively emotional support animals.