Current Text of Proposed Hermann City Ordinance Dealing With Feral Cats

Published by Jimmy Oldsun, NDRIRSRWRAFTC & Editor

Editorial comment on this subject was posted previously on Monday, 5/3/2010 at: 

http://www.hermannhearsay.blogspot.com/2010/05/editorial-comment-will-hermanns-cats.html

Below is the text of the proposed city ordinance dealing with feral cats. Changes will be made before the next Board of Alderman meeting on May 18th, when the bill will be voted on for the first time. A secondary vote with any additional changes to the text will be presented at the following meeting on June 1st.

Bill No. 2010-12

An Ordinance For Vaccination, Impoundment And Handling Of Cats

WHEREAS, it is the duty of every person who owns or possesses a cat to exercise prudent attention to the health of the cat and to properly care for the cat in order to protect the health and welfare of the citizens of the City of Hermann; and

WHEREAS, R.S.Mo § 79.400 authorizes the City to regulate or prohibit the running at large of domestic animals; and

WHEREAS, the Board of Alderman has determined that the regulation of cats is necessary and in the best interests of the citizens of the City of Hermann, Missouri.

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN OF THE CITY OF HERMANN, MISSOURI, AS FOLLOWS:

SECTION ONE: There shall be new sections added to Chapter 205 of the Hermann Municipal Code regarding the regulation of cats as follows:

SECTION 205.___: VACCINATION OF CATS REQUIRED

Every person who owns any cat shall have such cat vaccinated against rabies and registered as provided below. Cats must be vaccinated at once every three (3) years provided that a three (3) year type vaccine is administered; if a vaccine effective for less than three (3) years is administered, then the cat must be vaccinated upon the expiration of the vaccine.

The cost of all rabies vaccinations shall be paid by the cat owner.

SECTION 205.___: ANNUAL REGISTRATION AND LICENSE FEE REQUIREMENTS FOR CATS

An annual license fee of One Dollar ($1.00) per cat is hereby imposed upon every owner of a cat. The annual license fee shall be paid to and collected by the City Collector on or before the first day of February each year for the succeeding twelve (12) month period ending on January 31st of the next year. The full license fee shall also be paid and collected for any part of the year.

Applicants for cat licenses shall present a certificate of vaccination executed by a veterinarian verifying that the cat has been immunized against rabies for the entire (12) month period for which the license is sought.

It shall not be required for a vaccinated and licensed cat to wear any license or registration tag.

SECTION 205.___: IMPOUNDMENT OF CATS SUSPECTED OF HAVING RABIES

A. Any cat or other animal suspected of being afflicted with rabies, or any cat which has not been vaccinated which has bitten any person and caused an abrasion of the skin of such person, shall be seized and impounded under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian. If upon the examination by a veterinarian, the cat has no signs of rabies at the end of impoundment, it may be released to the owner after vaccination and upon payment by the owner of the veterinarian's impound and vaccination fees. In the case of a stray cat, it shall be disposed in accordance with applicable laws.

B. Any cat which has been vaccinated and which has bitten any person shall be confined by the owner or other responsible person until the cat is examined by a licensed veterinarian. If no signs of rabies are observed by the veterinarian the cat may be released from confinement.

SECTION 205.___: HANDLING OF CATS BITTEN BY RABID ANIMALS

In the case known to have been bitten by a rabid animal, the following rules shall apply:

1. Unvaccinated cats. In the case of cats have not been vaccinated which have been bitten by a known rabid animal, the bitten or exposed cat shall be immediately destroyed.
2. Vaccinated cat. If the bitten or exposed cat has been vaccinated the cat shall be handled as follows:
a. Immediately re-vaccinated and confined for a period of thirty (30) days following revaccination, at the cat owner's expense.
b. The cat shall be destroyed if the owner does not comply with item (a) of this Subsection.

SECTION 205.___: IMPOUNDMENT OF OWNED CATS

A. An authorized City representative may make and enter into a contract on behalf of the City for the confinement, impounding, care and disposal of cats upon such terms as are set forth in this ordinance.
B. Any cat found off the owner's premises whereby a complaint has been filed with the City of Hermann may be impounded. All property registered impounded cats shall be given proper care and maintenance. Each impounded cat shall be kept and maintained at the pound for a minimum of ten (10) days unless reclaimed earlier by the owner.
C. Notice of impoundment of animals, including any significant marks of identification, shall be posted with the City Clerk as public notification of impoundment. Any unvaccinated cat may be reclaimed by its owner during the period of impoundment by payment of prescribed pound fees and complying with rabies vaccination requirement. Any vaccinated cat impounded because of lack of a rabies vaccination tag may be reclaimed by its owner by furnishing proof of rabies vaccination and payment of all impoundment fees prior to release.
D. At the expiration of impoundment a cat may be claimed by payment of established pound fees and by compliance with the rabies vaccination requirement of the Article within seventy-two (72) hours of release. If the cat is unclaimed at the end of ten (10) days, the City may dispose of the cat in accordance with applicable laws or rules and regulations.
E. Any cat owner shall be notified, if possible, before may be destroyed.

Jimmy Oldsun
NDRIRSRWRAFTC & Editor
http://www.hermannhearsay.blogspot.com/

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