This chapter is intended to promote the public safety, health and welfare
of the residents and property of the Town of Pound Ridge, in conformance with
state law. The Town Board desires to protect its residents, their pets, livestock,
and species of wild animals from injury, harm or death by traps or trapping
activities, and thus intends by the enactment of this chapter to regulate
trapping activities and the use of traps in the Town of Pound Ridge.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings
indicated:
NUISANCE WILDLIFE CONTROL LICENSEE
A qualified individual who has been issued a nuisance wildlife control
license by the State of New York, acting as an agent for a property owner
or lessee, who is permitted to take, temporarily possess, transport and release
wildlife, at any time whenever the wildlife becomes a nuisance, destroys property
or menaces an individual or domestic animal.
TRAP
Any device, made of any material, used or put in place to take, capture,
catch, hold, or kill wildlife, game or other animals.
TRAPPING
To take, kill or capture wildlife with traps, deadfalls and other
devices commonly used to take wildlife, including the shooting or killing
of lawfully trapped animals, and includes all related activities such as placing,
setting, staking or checking traps or assisting another person with these
activities.
TRAPPING PERMIT
That form of Town approval required by this chapter for the conduct
of any regulated activity pursuant to this chapter.
Trapping, or the setting, placing, or use of a trap or traps, shall
be unlawful in the Town of Pound Ridge, except as performed pursuant to a
trapping permit issued by the Town Clerk or other authorized agent.
This chapter shall not apply to:
A. Any nuisance wildlife control licensee in the performance
of duties pursuant to such nuisance wildlife control license who is trapping
either within a dwelling or outbuilding and outdoors under the following conditions:
(1) Adjoining property owners must be notified by telephone
or otherwise that trapping is in progress and also when the traps are removed.
(2) All traps must be clearly marked as per §
66-6E.
B. Property owners or their tenants under the following
conditions:
(1) Any trap of any type may be set indoors at any time either
in a dwelling or outbuilding.
(2) "Hav A Hart" or box traps may be used at any time in
a fenced enclosure that is designed to exclude children and pets.
Any activity pursuant to a trapping permit shall also conform to all
other applicable laws and regulations of the Town of Pound Ridge, the County
of Westchester, and the State of New York.
Fees for trapping permits shall be collected by the Town Clerk and shall
be established by resolution of the Town Board.
If any section, provision or part of this chapter shall be adjudged
invalid or unconstitutional, such adjudication shall not affect the validity
of this chapter as a whole or any section, provision or part thereof not adjudged
invalid or unconstitutional.
This chapter shall take effect immediately upon filing with the Secretary
of State of the State of New York.