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(a) Permit required.
(1) No person shall operate a pet shop, grooming parlor, boarding kennel or training establishment for small animals whose possession is not prohibited by 24 RCNY Health Code § 161.01, without a permit issued by the Commissioner.
(2) Workers' compensation and disability benefits insurance. No permit required by this Article shall be issued to any person unless such person produces proof satisfactory to the Department that policies for workers' compensation insurance and disability benefits have been secured in accordance with Workers' Compensation Law § 56, or successor statute.
(b) Animal shelter. No person shall construct or operate a shelter for homeless animals without a permit issued by the Commissioner.
(c) Keeping and yarding of cattle, swine, sheep and goats prohibited. Except as provided in 24 RCNY Health Code § 161.01(a), no person shall keep or yard cattle, swine, sheep or goats.
(d) Permits for horse stables required. No person shall maintain or operate a stable for horses without a permit issued by the Commissioner except that no permit shall be required where a natural person or family owns a horse stable solely for housing and maintaining horses owned and used by the person or family for its exclusive recreational, non-commercial purposes.
(e) Selling of certain animals prohibited. No person shall engage in the business of or hold herself or himself out as engaging in the business of importing, or selling, or offering for sale any animal of a species whose possession is prohibited pursuant to 24 RCNY Health Code § 161.01 and no person shall operate a facility for the preparation or manufacturing of snake or arachnid anti-venom without a permit issued by the Commissioner.
(f) Small animal handling course required. No person who is charged with the supervision of a pet shop or business for the sale or offer for sale of dogs, cats or other small animals, or the boarding or grooming of small animals, or animal training, or similar type of operations, shall engage or be employed in such capacity unless he or she obtains a certificate indicating the successful completion of a course, acceptable to the Department, in the care and handling of such animals.
(1) Such certificate shall be placed in a clean, transparent cover or frame and displayed on the premises where the holder thereof is so engaged or employed in such a manner as to be clearly visible to the public. It shall be available for inspection at all times by the Department. No person shall mutilate, obstruct or tear down such certificate.
(2) The holder of such certificate shall successfully complete a refresher course in the care and handling of such animals when deemed necessary by the Department. The Department may require the holder of such certificate to complete a refresher course acceptable to the Department when the Department finds continuing violations of the Code, or when a zoonotic outbreak implicates animals cared for, treated or held in the establishment she or he supervises, or when the Department requires such course to acquaint him or her with current developments in animal care and handling principles.
(3) The Department may conduct such courses or approve courses conducted by educational institutions. Persons electing to enroll in such courses conducted by the Department may be charged a reasonable enrollment fee to defray all or part of the costs incurred by the Department in their administration.
(g) Guard dogs. No person shall own a trained guard dog for use within the City unless she or he has licensed and registered such animal with the Department. Any case of loss, theft or transfer of ownership of a trained guard dog shall be reported by the owner to the Department within five (5) days of any such loss, theft or transfer. The Department may charge a reasonable fee to defray all or part of the cost incurred by the Department in the administration of this subdivision.
(1) Microchipping required. The owner of a trained guard dog shall have such dog implanted with a microchip as a permanent identification, and supply the identification number to the Department, and provide and see to it that such animal wears at all times a tag issued by the Department. Such tag shall have printed or stamped thereon, in clear and legible type, the words: "GUARD DOG". Such tag shall be suspended at least three quarters of an inch and not more than one and one half inches from a collar worn by such animal. Lost, stolen or damaged tags shall be reported to the Department and may be replaced by the Department at reasonable cost.
(2) Signs to be posted. Owners or other persons in control of any premises in which a trained guard dog is kept shall post a durable sign or notice, printed in clear and legible type, warning the public of the presence of such trained guard dog. The sign shall include the name and other contact information for the owner of the guard dog.
(3) Notice required. All persons who train, sell or rent guard dogs shall post a durable sign or notice, printed in clear and legible type stating that a copy of this section shall be provided by the trainer, seller or renter of a guard dog to any person who uses such dogs, warning that all users shall comply with licensing, tagging, microchipping and signage requirements.
(Amended City Record 6/15/2016, eff. 7/15/2016)
(a) A permit required by 24 RCNY Health Code § 161.09 shall not be issued unless the applicant proves to the satisfaction of the Commissioner that the place for which the application is made does not constitute a nuisance because of its proximity to a residential, business, commercial or public building, and that the place will be maintained so as not to become a nuisance.
(b) The owner, lessee or person in charge of any place where animals are kept pursuant to a permit required by 24 RCNY Health Code § 161.09, shall take all measures necessary for integrated pest management of insect, rodent and other vermin required by 24 RCNY Health Code Article 151, and shall conduct such place so as not to create an animal nuisance as defined in this Article.
(c) Every place where animals are kept pursuant to a permit required by 24 RCNY Health Code § 161.09 shall be equipped with and shall maintain supplies of implements and materials, such as brooms, hoses, hose connections, vacuum cleaners where dusty conditions are found, covered metal receptacles, brushes, disinfectants and detergents, as may be required to maintain sanitary conditions. Such places shall have regularly assigned personnel to maintain sanitary conditions.
The holder of a permit issued pursuant to 24 RCNY Health Code § 161.09 or the person in charge of the place for which the permit is issued shall inspect or designate a qualified or trained employee to inspect the premises at least once every two months and record the results of the inspection on a form furnished by the Department. Such records shall be kept on file for one year. If an inspection shows a violation of any provisions of this Code, the permittee or person in charge shall promptly correct such condition. A record of self inspection shall be available for inspection by the Department, but shall not be subject to inspection by others, or to subpoena, and shall not be used in, or as the basis for prosecution.
(a) Dwellings and food service establishments. Animals shall not be sold, held for sale, or boarded, groomed or trained in exchange for a fee in a dwelling in which a person lives. Aquatic animals, as defined in 24 RCNY Health Code Article 81, shall not be sold, held for sale or kept in the same place where food or drink is sold for human consumption. This subdivision shall not prevent a food service establishment from keeping live fish species intended for human consumption and obtained from a legal food source or from displaying live fish in an ornamental aquarium.
(b) Providing and submitting dog license applications.
(1) An entity permitted, pursuant to 24 RCNY Health Code § 161.09 must provide a dog license application to any person seeking to purchase, adopt, reclaim, or take custody of a dog unless the person demonstrates that the dog is already licensed or signs a sworn statement that the dog will live outside the City. The person seeking to purchase, adopt, reclaim, or take custody of the dog must complete the application and return it, along with any fees due, to the permitted entity. Such entity must forward the completed application along with any fees to the Department within five (5) business days, and the Department will issue the license and send it to the dog's owner.
(2) Whenever a dog receives training, grooming, or boarding services from an entity permitted, pursuant to 24 RCNY Health Code § 161.09 to provide only those services, the entity must provide the dog owner with a dog license application, unless either the dog owner provides proof that the dog has a Department-issued license, or the dog lives outside of the City.
(c) An entity permitted, pursuant to 24 RCNY Health Code § 161.09 must maintain and keep for one year a record of purchases, sales, boarding, grooming, training, sheltering of homeless animals, and adoption services rendered. When a dog or cat is purchased, sold, adopted or kept, the permittee must make an entry in the record that includes (1) the name and address of the person from whom it was purchased, to whom it was sold or given for adoption, or who ordered boarding, grooming, or training services for such animals; and (2) a complete description of the animal, including its age, sex, and breed. On at least a monthly basis, the permittee must report to the Department, on a form furnished by the Department, all licensed and unlicensed dogs which have been sold, adopted, groomed, trained, boarded, sheltered, or otherwise served. Such form must include the name and address of the dog owner and license number of all licensed dogs as well as any other descriptive information regarding the dog as may be required by the Department.
(d) A holder of a permit to keep small animals for sale, boarding, grooming or training shall not sell or hold any animal that is affected with or that has been exposed to a disease communicable among small animals unless such affected or exposed animal is under the care of a licensed veterinarian.
(e) Proof of vaccinations required.
(1) Proof of rabies vaccination. Prior to providing boarding, grooming, or training services, an entity issued a permit, pursuant to 24 RCNY Health Code § 161.09 must obtain proof from the owner of each dog, cat, or other animal that the animal is currently vaccinated for rabies, unless there is no USDA-approved rabies vaccine for such animal, or that the animal has a medical condition for which rabies vaccination is contraindicated. Such proof must be either (i) a copy of a rabies vaccination certificate, or (ii) a signed letter from a veterinarian verifying the animal's vaccination status or exemption from vaccination. Such proof must be maintained on the premises for at least one year and provided to the Department upon request.
(2) Other vaccinations for dogs.
(A) Boarding kennels and training establishments. Prior to providing boarding, grooming or training services, an entity issued a permit, pursuant to 24 RCNY Health Code § 161.09 must obtain proof from the owner of each dog provided services that the dog is currently actively vaccinated against distemper, adenovirus, parainfluenza, parvovirus and Bordetella, or that the animal has a medical condition for which vaccination is contraindicated. Such proof may include, but is not limited to, (i) a receipt from a veterinary office for vaccines provided, (ii) a summary of a veterinary visit prepared by the veterinary office indicating such vaccines were administered, or (iii) a copy of a signed letter from a veterinarian stating that the dog has been so vaccinated or that the dog has a medical condition for which vaccination is contraindicated. The accepted proof must be maintained on the premises for at least one year and provided to the Department upon request.
(B) Entities providing grooming services only. A holder of a permit to operate a grooming parlor where only grooming services are provided must obtain from the owner of each dog that is provided services either (i) a sworn statement of the owner that the dog is currently actively vaccinated against distemper, adenovirus, parainfluenza, parvovirus and Bordetella along with the name and contact information of the veterinarian who administered the vaccinations, or (ii) a receipt from a veterinary office for vaccines provided, or (iii) a summary of a veterinary visit prepared by the veterinary office indicating such vaccines were administered, or (iv) a copy of a signed letter from a veterinarian stating that the dog has been so vaccinated or that the dog has a medical condition for which vaccination is contraindicated. The accepted proof must be maintained on the premises for at least one year and provided to the Department upon request.
(f) Cage or box dryers prohibited. Facilities that care for or provide services to small animals must not dry any such animal using a cage or box dryer or any other dryer that is equipped with a heating element that is not handheld.
(Amended City Record 9/20/2017, eff. 10/10/2017)
A pet shop, boarding kennel, shelter, and any other place where animals are kept that is permitted, pursuant to 24 RCNY Health Code § 161.09 must meet the requirements of 24 RCNY Health Code Articles 131 and 151 for maintaining facilities and eliminating conditions conducive to pests. The floors, walls, implements, and cages in such place must be kept clean and in good repair, and cages must be disinfected when necessary. An individual cage must be provided for the use of each dog or cat three months of age or over except when isolation in a separate cage is medically contraindicated or animals are caged together for a humane reason. In such cases, a veterinarian must provide a written statement and any other documentation required by the Department indicating the reasons more than one animal should be caged together. Such documentation must be maintained on the premises and be available for inspection. Nothing in this Code prohibits the establishment of dog or cat group socialization or play areas in boarding facilities regulated by this Code, provided that animals allowed in such areas are certified by a veterinarian as vaccinated against rabies and free of other diseases and parasites transmissible to humans or other animals.
(Amended City Record 9/20/2017, eff. 10/10/2017)
(a) No person shall keep a live rooster, duck, goose or turkey in the City of New York except (1) in a slaughterhouse authorized by federal or state law that is subject to inspection by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets or the United States Department of Agriculture, or (2) as authorized by 24 RCNY Health Code § 161.01(a).
(b) A person who is authorized by applicable law to keep for sale or sell livestock, live rabbits or poultry shall keep the premises in which such animals are held and slaughtered and the surrounding areas clean and free of animal nuisances.
(c) Live rabbit and poultry markets. Live rabbits and poultry intended for sale shall not be kept on the same premises as a multiple dwelling as defined in section 4 of the Multiple Dwelling Law, or other residence. Coops or runways of live rabbit and poultry markets shall be located at least 25 feet away from any building.
(a) A stable for horses shall meet the requirements in 24 RCNY Health Code Article 131 governing walls, floors, ventilation, lighting and plumbing and shall have rodent proofing when required by the Department because of evidence of rat infestation. The Department, under such appropriate conditions as it may require, may allow a stable for racing horses to have in the stalls an impacted earth floor with straw, hay or similar material used for bedding.
(b) All exposed surfaces in a stable for horses shall be kept clean, and the walls, ceilings and exposed woodwork shall be whitewashed when necessary.
(c) Straw, hay or other material used as bedding shall not be placed upon a street, sidewalk or roof of a building.
(d) A horse-watering trough shall be maintained in a clean and sanitary condition and supplied with clean water.
(e) Except in unimproved areas, a stable shall not have or use a manure vault, pit or bin.
(f) All manure and other refuse shall be kept and treated within the stable in a manner satisfactory to the Department so as to minimize odors and prevent the breeding of flies or other annoying or unsanitary conditions. Manure shall either be removed daily or pressed into bales or barrels, adequately protected against flies and otherwise treated in a manner satisfactory to the Department. Manure or other stable refuse shall not be permitted to remain in a stable for more than four days.
(g) Unless special facilities satisfactory to the Department are provided for outside loading, the vehicle in which manure is to be removed shall be completely inside the stable and the stable doors shall be closed when manure is loaded. When barrels are unloaded they shall be cleaned and deodorized inside the stable in a manner satisfactory to the Department so as to prevent the creation of a nuisance.
(h) A stable yard or other area used by animals shall be kept clean, and the surface shall be graded so as to prevent the accumulation of liquids.
(i) All horses owned, boarded, used or brought into the City of New York for any purpose shall have an annual rabies vaccination. Every person who owns a horse and every person who owns or maintains a stable for horses in the City of New York shall maintain a record of such horse's rabies vaccinations and make such records available to officers, agents and employees of the Department for examination upon request. Requirements for rabies vaccination for horses shall apply to all horses housed or brought into any stable in the City of New York regardless of whether the stable is required to hold a permit issued pursuant to this Article.
(a) Sterilization required. No animal shall be released from an animal shelter for adoption by or return to a resident of the city of New York without first being spayed or neutered, except if the animal is exempt from sterilization pursuant to § 17-804 of the Administrative Code.
(b) Release to animal rescue groups. Whenever practicable, animals shall not be released by a shelter to an animal rescue group without first being spayed or neutered when such animal is being taken by the animal rescue group to assist in its adoption by others, except if, in the judgment of the shelter veterinarian, the health of the animal would be compromised by sterilization surgery at the time of release to the rescue group. No dog may be released by an animal rescue group to a person who resides in the City of New York unless the dog is sterilized and licensed pursuant to 24 RCNY Health Code § 161.04.
(c) Objections to sterilization. Any resident of the City of New York seeking to redeem an animal from a shelter and objecting to its sterilization may bring a cause of action in a court of competent jurisdiction seeking a declaration that such animal need not be sterilized.
(1) Upon delivery to the shelter operator of a bond in the amount of $20,000, the animal shall be returned to its owner.
(2) The bond amount shall be returned to the owner at the conclusion of the litigation, if the owner prevails in such litigation.
(3) The bond shall be forfeited if
(A) No cause of action is commenced within three months of the release of the animal to its owner, or
(B) The owner does not prevail in such litigation, and the animal either is (i) not returned to the shelter for sterilization or (ii) verifiable proof of sterilization is not submitted to the shelter.
(4) Spay neuter fund established. Sums collected from forfeited bonds shall be transmitted by the shelter operator to the Fund for Public Health in New York, Inc., or other not for profit agency approved by the Department, and placed in an animal spay neuter fund to be established by such fund or other agency. Expenditures of such collected sums shall be authorized by the Department to pay for free or low-cost animal sterilization services.
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