(a) Harboring; Compliance and Registration Required. Any person harboring or keeping fancy, utility, high-flying and/or racing/homing domestic breeds of pigeons shall be permitted to harbor or keep such pigeons, but only if he or she complies with this section and has registered with the Director of Public Safety.
(b) Care of Lofts and Birds. No breeder shall permit lofts to become dirty and/or smelly or allow birds to wander uncontrolled about the neighborhood.
(c) Conditions for Maintenance of Racing/Homing Pigeons. No person shall harbor or maintain any racing/homing pigeon except under the following conditions:
(1) No loft, coop or other place for keeping or confining racing/homing pigeons shall be maintained, operated or permitted to exist within 25 feet of any building used as a residence or patio.
(2) No loft kept for pigeons shall be an open loft.
(3) No loft, coop or other place for keeping or confining racing/homing pigeons shall be located in any structure not constructed in accordance with the Zoning Code and the Building Code.
(4) All runways in which such pigeons are kept and maintained shall at all times be kept clean and free from filth, garbage or any substance which emits a noxious odor or which can attract rats.
(5) All pigeons shall be fed within the confines of the loft or coop and all unused food shall be collected promptly and disposed of in a manner required by division (c)(6) of this section.
(6) All grain and food stored for the use of such pigeons shall be kept in rat-proof containers with tight covers.
(7) All runways shall be completely enclosed with chicken wire, netting or other equivalent material that will prevent pigeons from escaping the confines of the loft or coop.
(8) No person shall fly domestic pigeons unless he or she complies with the following rules:
A. Racing/homing. The owner/guardian or agent must be a member in good standing of an organized racing homer club with a body of rules that will preserve the peace and tranquility of the neighborhood, such as a local club in the Cleveland center, under the America Union (A.U.) or a comparable organization.
B. High-flying. The owner/guardian or agent must be a member in good standing of an organized high-flying club with a body of rules that will preserve the peace and tranquility of the neighborhood, such as club organized under the National Pigeon Association (N.P.A.) or a comparable organization.
C. Feed times; limited number. No bird shall be fed before being released or exercised. Not more than 50 birds shall be flown in one day.
D. Landing on property. No owner/guardian or agent shall permit his or her birds to land, set, light or gather on the property of another, whether public or private property.
E. Bands. The owner/guardian or agent shall place a registered band on all his or her flying birds.
F. Utility and fancy birds. Utility and fancy types shall not be released for exercise outside the loft unless they also comply with the rules for racing/homing and/or high- flying domestic pigeons.
(d) Shooting and Trapping Racing/Homing Pigeons. No person, not being the owner/guardian thereof, shall shoot, kill, maim or entrap a domestic pigeon if it has the name of the owner/guardian stamped upon its wing or tail or if it has a band with the owner/guardian's name or initials or a number on its leg.
(e) Definitions. As used in this section:
(1) “Fancy” means pigeons that are raised primarily for being shown in competitions during pigeon shows and fairs.
(2) “High-flying” means pigeons that are raised primarily to be flown in high-flying competition.
(3) “Open loft” means the free roaming of a bird unattended at the loft location.
(4) “Racing/homing” means pigeons that are raised primarily to be flown in long distance flying competition, in organized club competition.
(5) “Utility” means pigeons that are raised primarily for food.
(f) Penalty. Whoever violates or fails to comply with any of the provisions of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the fourth degree. Punishment shall be as provided in Section 698.02.
(Ord. 45-06. Passed 11-20-06; Ord. 157-11. Passed 7-5-11.)