(a) Definitions. "Cat" means and includes any member of the feline family, of either sex, unless otherwise specified hereafter.
(b) Noisy or Nuisance Cats. No person shall own or keep within the City any cat which shall, by squalling, crying in any other manner whatsoever, create a nuisance or disturb the peace and quiet of any neighborhood.
(c) Excessive Number Prohibited. It shall be unlawful to own, keep or harbor more than 4 cats that are four months or older on any premises. It shall be an affirmative defense to excessive number of cats prohibited if the owner is engaged in a bona fide effort to rescue cats and possess an animal rescue permit. The owner must make application for the permit through City Animal Control within 7 days prior to taking custody of additional cats. The permits shall give the owner three months to place the cats or otherwise return to the permitted limit of 4 cats. A maximum of 1 rescue permit shall be issued to a household at any one time.
(d) Vaccination Requirements. The City hereby incorporates by reference as if set out verbatim herein the provisions of W.Va. Code 19-20A-1, 10-20A-2, 10-20A-3, and 10-20-A-4.
(e) Persons violating this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and punished as provided in Section 501.99. (Passed 8-14-17.)