[Adopted by Ord. No. O-96-31 (§ 3-33 of the 1974
Code); amended in its entirety 9-20-2005 by Ord. No. O-05-31]
It has been determined that the presence of
large number of wild waterfowl on and around public ponds and lakes
in the Township of Howell causes a public health nuisance in said
public ponds and lakes, including the surrounding properties, which
is inimical to the health and general welfare of the public. The purpose
of this article is to prohibit the feeding of unconfined wildlife
in any public park or on any other property owned or operated by the
Township of Howell so as to protect public health, safety and welfare,
and to prescribe penalties for failure to comply.
As used in this article, the following terms
shall have the meanings indicated:
To give, place, expose, deposit, distribute or scatter any
edible material with the intention of feeding, attracting or enticing
wildlife. Feeding does not include baiting in the legal taking of
fish and/or game.
Any individual, corporation, company, partnership, firm,
association or political subdivision of this state subject to municipal
jurisdiction.
All animals that are neither human nor domesticated.
No person shall feed, in any public park or
on any other property owned or operated by Howell Township, any wildlife,
excluding confined wildlife (for example, wildlife confined in zoos,
parks or rehabilitation centers or unconfined wildlife at environmental
education centers).
This article shall not be construed to prohibit
humane acts towards wildlife in individual cases, such as the temporary
nurturing of a wounded bird.
The Police Department of the Township of Howell is hereby authorized and directed to enforce this article. Any person who shall be convicted of violation of a provision of this article shall, upon conviction thereof by any court of competent jurisdiction by law to hear and determine the matter, be subject to the penalty set forth in Chapter 1, General Provisions, Article II, General Penalty.
