The Board of Trustees of the Village of New
Paltz is concerned about the proliferation throughout the Village
of cats which do not appear to be domesticated household pets and
enact this legislation to reduce the chances of rabies and other feline
diseases spreading through cat colonies and to reduce the adverse
affect stray and feral cats have upon the quality of life in the Village.
As used in this article, unless the context
or subject matter otherwise requires, the following terms shall have
the meanings indicated:
CAT
Any cat of either sex and of any age.
DOMESTICATED
Any cat kept in or about the residence of the owner which
is not vicious, dangerous or otherwise obnoxious, objectionable or
offensive.
OUTDOORS
Any unsecured portion of premises in which a cat can move
at will.
OWNER
Every person having a right of property in a cat and every
person who has a cat in his or her keeping or who harbors a cat or
the adult member of a family in which a minor owner of a cat resides.
POUND
Any establishment, public or private, for the confinement
of cats seized either under the provisions of this article or otherwise.
Pursuant to the authority granted to the Board
of Trustees by § 22 of the Municipal Home Rule Law of the
State of New York, any provisions of the Agriculture and Markets Law
of the State of New York which limit the authority of the Board of
Trustees to enact the provision of this article in effect on the effective
date of this article are hereby superseded to the extent such provisions
are inconsistent herewith.