To protect the health and welfare of the inhabitants of this Town, this bylaw will restrict trade in fur products. Fur farms are reservoirs and transmission vectors for dangerous zoonotic diseases, including SARS coronaviruses, that threaten public health, including in the Town of Plymouth. In addition, the fur production process is energy intensive and has a significant environmental impact, including air and water pollution, and animals that are slaughtered for their fur endure tremendous suffering. Eliminating the sale of fur products in the Town of Plymouth will decrease the demand for these cruel and environmentally harmful products and promote community health and wellbeing as well as animal welfare, and, in turn, will foster a more humane environment in the Town and enhance the reputation of the Town.
[Added 4-2-2022 ATM by Art. 20]
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
Any animal skin or part thereof with hair, fleece, or fur fibers attached thereto, either in its raw or processed state.
Any article of clothing or covering for any part of the body, or any fashion accessory, including, but not limited to, handbags, shoes, slippers, hats, earmuffs, scarves, shawls, gloves, jewelry, keychains, toys or trinkets, and home accessories and decor, that is made in whole or part of fur. "Fur product" does not include any of the following:
An animal skin or part thereof that is to be converted into leather, or which in processing will have the hair, fleece, or fur fiber completely removed;
Cowhide with the hair attached thereto;
Lambskin or sheepskin with the fleece attached thereto; or
The pelt or skin of any animal that is preserved through taxidermy or for the purpose of taxidermy.
Any corporation that is organized under 26 U.S.C. § 501(c)(3) that is created for charitable, religious, philanthropic, educational, or similar purposes.
Any transfer of title of a fur product for consideration, made in the ordinary course of the seller's business, to the purchaser for use other than resale or further processing or manufacturing.
The practice of preparing and preserving the skin of an animal that is deceased and stuffing and mounting it in lifelike form.
An individual who buys for their own use, or for the use of another, but not for resale or trade.
A fur product that has been worn or used by an ultimate consumer.
Notwithstanding any other provision of the bylaws, no person shall sell, offer for sale, display for sale, trade, or otherwise distribute for monetary or nonmonetary consideration a fur product in the Town of Plymouth.
The prohibitions set forth in § 120-31 of this article do not apply to the sale, offer for sale, displaying for sale, trade, or distribution of:
A.
A used fur product by an individual (excluding a retail transaction), nonprofit organization, or secondhand store, including a pawn shop;
B.
A fur product required for use in the practice of a religion;
C.
A fur product used for traditional tribal, cultural, or spiritual purposes by a member of a federally recognized or state recognized Native American tribe; or
D.
A fur product where the activity is expressly authorized by federal or state law.
Any person violating this bylaw shall be liable to the Town in the amount of $300. Each fur product and every day upon which any such violation shall occur shall constitute a separate offense.