As used in this article, the following terms
shall have the meanings indicated:
ANIMAL
Any domesticated animal kept for pleasure rather than utility
or profit which is normally kept within a residence and includes,
without limitation, dogs, cats, gerbils, guinea pigs, hamsters, certain
species of reptiles, certain species of birds, turtles and tropical
fish. The definition of "animal," as used in this article, specifically
excludes poultry, fowl, chickens, turkeys, roosters, pigs and any
other animal typically considered a farm animal or that is prohibited
from being owned, sheltered or kept by any state or federal law.
[Added 5-14-2020 by Ord. No. 2020-08]
STRAY ANIMAL
Any animal that has left an enclosure or proper place or
quarters, including the premises of the owner or other person keeping
or harboring such animal, and is wandering without restraint or confinement.
[Added 6-4-1979 by Ord. No. 7904]
The following regulations shall apply within
the City of Ventnor City:
A. No animal shall be owned, sheltered or kept that does
not meet the definition of "animal" set forth in this article or in
any way violates State of New Jersey or federal law.
[Amended 6-4-1979 by Ord. No. 7904; 5-14-2020 by Ord. No. 2020-08]
B. The quarters where animals are kept shall be clean
and sanitary and such as not to create a health hazard or disturbances
by reason of noise, odor or other causes.
[Amended 5-14-2020 by Ord. No. 2020-08]
C. No person who owns, keeps, harbors or maintains any
animal shall permit or suffer it to do any damage to any person, fowl
or domestic animal or permit or suffer it to do any damage, to soil
or defile any lawn, shrubbery, garden, flowers, grounds or property
other than that of the person owning, keeping, harboring or maintaining
such animal.
[Amended 5-14-2020 by Ord. No. 2020-08]
D. Any person who shall own, keep or harbor a dog in
the City of Ventnor City shall:
[Added 6-4-1979 by Ord. No. 7904]
(1) Prevent such dog from running at large upon any public
street or public place, including the Boardwalk and the beach, at
any time.
(2) Prevent such dog from being on any public street or
other public place at any time unless such dog is accompanied by a
person over the age of nine years and is securely controlled by an
adequate leash not longer than six feet in length.
(3) Prevent such dog from being on the boardwalk, beach,
the approaches thereto or on any pier, pavilion, playground or recreational
area of the City of Ventnor City, whether the dog is leashed or unleashed,
except that dogs on a leash may be permitted on the beach only between
October 1 and May 15 in the area of the beach washed daily by the
high tide.
[Amended 6-22-1995 by Ord. No. 9509]
(4) Prevent such dog from running at large upon the lands
of any person, except the lands of any person owning, keeping or harboring
such dog, without the consent of the owners of such lands.
(5) Prevent such dog from injuring or damaging any garden,
flower garden, land, plant, tree, shrubbery, grass, grounds or property
of any person other than the person owning, keeping or harboring such
dog.
[Added 6-4-1979 by Ord. No. 7904]
A. Every person, whether he or she is the owner or custodian
of the dog, shall, when it is on the public streets or sidewalks,
curb said dog so as not to injure or damage any garden, flower garden,
land, plant, tree, shrubbery, grass, grounds or other property of
any person and under no circumstances shall allow any dog to defecate
or urinate upon any lawn, shrubbery or sidewalk.
B. To "curb" your dog means to leave the sidewalk and step off the curb edge into the gutter for purposes of permitting your dog to defecate. Feces must then be removed by proper sanitary methods as described in §
105-23 and carried back to dog owner's property for disposal. Feces shall not be deposited into any public or private surface drain or trash receptacle.
[Added 9-5-2003 by Ord. No. 2003-11]
[Amended 6-4-1979 by Ord. No. 7904; 2-2-1989 by Ord. No. 8903; 5-11-2023 by Ord. No. 2023-08]
Any person or persons violating any of the provisions
of this article shall, upon conviction thereof, be subject to a fine
not exceeding the sum of $200 for the first offense; $500 for the
second offense; and $1,500 for the third and each subsequent offense
thereafter. In addition to or as a substitute for the previously mentioned
fine, the imposition of community service shall be authorized as an
additional penalty, which community service shall not exceed 90 days.