Chapter 8.35
WILDLIFE FEEDING AND CONTROL
Sections:
8.35.030 Feeding of wildlife prohibited.
8.35.010 Applicability.
This chapter shall apply to all wild turkeys within the boundaries of the city of Pilot Rock. [Ord. 587 § 1, 2017].
8.35.020 Definitions.
“Administrative team” means the city recorder, public works director and chief of police.
“City” means the city of Pilot Rock.
“Feral cat” means a cat that exists in a wild or untamed state, either due to birth or reversion to a wild state from domestication. The usual and consistent temperament of a feral cat is extreme fear and resistance to contact with humans. Feral cats are completely or substantially unsocialized to humans.
“Feral cat colony” means a group of cats that congregates, more or less, together as a unit. Although not every cat in a colony may be feral, any nonferal cats that congregate with a colony shall be deemed to be a part of it.
“Songbird” means any of a large number of bird species in which the vocal organ is developed in such a way as to provide various sound notes commonly known as bird song.
“Waterfowl” means any bird that frequents the water or lives around rivers, lakes, etc., including, but not limited to, ducks, geese, swans, and herons.
“Wildlife” shall include any animal which is not normally domesticated including, but not limited to, bears, coyotes, deer, foxes, groundhogs, opossums, raccoons, skunks, turkeys, and waterfowl. [Ord. 590, 2019; Ord. 587 § 1, 2017].
8.35.030 Feeding of wildlife prohibited.
The intentional feeding of wildlife within the boundaries of the city is declared a public nuisance and is prohibited at all times. Feeding of wildlife includes any manner by which a person allows food or other attractants to be placed on their property with the intent of attracting and/or feeding wildlife. Nothing contained in this chapter shall prohibit the feeding of songbirds; provided, that bird seed shall be contained in receptacles which are reasonably designed to avoid access by wild turkeys. [Ord. 590, 2019; Ord. 587 § 1, 2017].
8.35.035 Feral cats.
It is permissible to feed feral cats that are altered or in colonies where feeders are actively participating in a spay neuter program. Any offspring from feral cats must be altered so they cannot reproduce. Proof of spay/neuter must be provided for any non-ear-tipped cats. It is illegal to poison or kill these animals. It is also unlawful for any person, except for those authorized by the city, to interfere, harass, relocate a trap, release an animal captured in a humane trap, or in any other way attempt to disrupt a trapping program authorized by the city of Pilot Rock. In addition, the officers with the Pilot Rock police department are not qualified to determine if a cat is feral, abandoned, owned or altered. Any citation(s) involving the violation of this section must be signed by the complaining party and the citation(s) will then be served by a police officer. [Ord. 590, 2019].
8.35.040 Abatement.
In the event that any part of the city is experiencing the presence of wild turkey populations that pose a substantial inconvenience, threaten the health and welfare or endanger the property of Pilot Rock citizens, the city shall take those steps authorized by the appropriate regulatory agency to disperse or otherwise control the offending wild turkeys. Should the city recorder or administrative team determine that feeders for songbirds or other animals are attracting wild turkeys, the city shall require that those persons remove feeders until such time that the wild turkeys disperse. Failure to remove feeders within 24 hours from notification shall constitute a separate violation of this chapter. [Ord. 587 § 1, 2017].
8.35.050 Penalties.
A person found guilty of violating any of the provisions of PRMC 8.35.020 through 8.35.040 shall be subject to a fine not less than $50.00 or more than $250.00 for each offense. A separate offense shall be deemed committed on each day or part of each day during which a violation occurs or continues. [Ord. 587 § 1, 2017].
8.35.060 Severability.
Every section of this chapter or subsection or separate part thereof shall be considered a separate provision and, if any portion shall be declared unconstitutional, it shall not affect the remaining parts of this chapter. [Ord. 587 § 1, 2017].