Canandaigua, N.Y. - If you let your cat out or even feed a stray, you can be fined up to $50 if that feline causes damage to someone else's property in the city.After months of discussion, the City Council passed a new law Monday targeted at cats running at large. Early versions of the law only made cat owners responsible for making sure their felines aren't roaming beyond their yard. But due to concerns about feral - or wild - cats in the city, the council modified it to include anyone who harbors, houses, keeps, maintains or cares for cats.
In other words, if a feral cat is on a resident's property and causing a nuisance, that resident can take action against the person who helps support the animal - even if he or she doesn't technically own it.
Mayor Ellen Polimeni said the city would need a reliable account, photos or collaborating testimony to prove a resident is caring for a troublesome feral cat. Residents should report destructive felines to the police department, said Polimeni, and a warning will be issued before the city imposes fines of up to $50.
But Marge Anthony, chairwoman of the council's Ordinance Committee, hopes it won't come to that. Ideally, neighbors can work out the problem among themselves, she said.The new law will go into effect in 30 days.
In other words, if a feral cat is on a resident's property and causing a nuisance, that resident can take action against the person who helps support the animal - even if he or she doesn't technically own it.
Mayor Ellen Polimeni said the city would need a reliable account, photos or collaborating testimony to prove a resident is caring for a troublesome feral cat. Residents should report destructive felines to the police department, said Polimeni, and a warning will be issued before the city imposes fines of up to $50.
But Marge Anthony, chairwoman of the council's Ordinance Committee, hopes it won't come to that. Ideally, neighbors can work out the problem among themselves, she said.The new law will go into effect in 30 days.
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