[Adopted 3-25-1976 by L.L. No. 2-1976 (Ch. 161, Art. I, of the 1989 Code)]
[Amended 9-5-2019 by L.L. No. 5-2019[1]]
A. 
A person who keeps, maintains or harbors a dog or cat or who knowingly allows a dog or cat to remain on the person's property, or who regularly feeds a dog or cat on the person's property, is presumed to be the owner of the dog or cat. A person who has charge, care, custody or control of a dog or cat is presumed to possess or control the dog or cat.
B. 
A person who owns, possesses or controls a dog or cat shall not permit it to be in any public place, in any open or unfenced area abutting on a public place. It shall not be a violation of this section where the dog is effectively restrained by a leash or chain not more than 10 feet in length.
C. 
A person who owns, possesses or controls a dog or cat must maintain a proper enclosure to prevent the dog or cat from wandering or escaping from the person's property. A person who owns, possesses or controls a dog or cat shall prevent their dog or cat from entering the private property of another, unless they receive permission from the owner or tenant of the private property.
D. 
According to New York State Law, all cats shall be vaccinated against rabies by a duly licensed veterinarian. No cat or dog is allowed off the owner's property without a reasonable identification tag including the owner's name and address. In addition, the owner of any cat that lives within the City for more than 30 days must have the cat implanted with a registered and functioning microchip before the cat attains four months of age. A cat is exempt from this requirement if the cat is determined to be medically unsuitable for microchipping by a licensed veterinarian in writing.
E. 
No owner shall permit the premises, structure or enclosure in which a cat is kept to be unclean or unsanitary, particularly the unsanitary accumulation of urine, urine sprayed furniture or carpets, or accumulation of feces.
F. 
No owner of an animal, including a cat or dog, shall abandon such animal.
[1]
Editor’s Note: This local law also changed the title of this article from "Dog Control," to "Dogs and Cats at Large."
Any person who owns, possesses or controls a dog shall not permit it to be in any park unless the dog is effectively restrained by a leash or chain; provided, however, the Common Council may by resolution authorize certain time periods during which dogs may be unrestrained in designated unenclosed park areas.
[Amended 4-17-2019 by L.L. No. 4-2019; 9-5-2019 by L.L. No. 5-2019]
Any person who owns, possesses or controls a dog shall not keep a dog that makes frequent or long continued noise such as barking, howling, or whining that is in violation of the City of Plattsburgh's "Noise" Chapter as set forth in the City Code.[1] Any person who owns, possesses or controls a cat shall not keep a cat that makes frequent calling, meowing or howling that is in violation of the City of Plattsburgh's "Noise" Chapter as set forth in the City Code. Any person who owns, possesses or controls a dog or cat shall not keep a dog or cat that sprays urine, or leaves feces, in such a way that it touches the property of another person.
[1]
Editor’s Note: See Ch. 222, Noise.
[Amended 9-5-2019 by L.L. No. 5-2019]
Any person who owns, possesses or controls a dog or cat that causes damage to property of another person, which damage may include depositing waste, feces, or urine, may be held liable in a civil action for damages by the owner of the damaged property.
A. 
A dog that is running at large may be seized and impounded at a licensed animal shelter or veterinarian.
B. 
If the dog is wearing a license tag or other means of identifying the owner, the owner shall be notified that the dog has been seized and how to obtain its release.
C. 
If the impounded dog is not claimed within 72 hours of its delivery to the animal shelter, the animal shelter or veterinarian may make the dog available for adoption or humanely euthanize the dog.
[Amended 4-17-2019 by L.L. No. 4-2019]
D. 
The owner of a seized and impounded dog shall be liable to pay the cost of seizing, transporting, impounding and, if necessary, euthanizing the dog.
E. 
In addition to any fees or charges owed to the animal shelter or veterinarian, and any fine imposed for a violation of this chapter, the owner of the dog shall pay the City of Plattsburgh a fee for seizing and transporting the dog to the animal shelter in an amount set from time to time by the Common Council by resolution.
[Amended 4-17-2019 by L.L. No. 4-2019]
[Amended 5-31-2018 by L.L. No. 4-2018; 9-5-2019 by L.L. No. 5-2019]
This article may be enforced by a dog control officer appointed by the Common Council, a police officer, a code enforcement officer, or a parking enforcement officer as defined in §  340-2 of the Code. Any person who observes a cat or dog, or the owners thereof in violation of any of the provisions of this article may file a written complaint with any aforementioned enforcement officer, which complaint shall contain the necessary details to investigate said complaint. An offense may be prosecuted by issuance of an appearance ticket under § 150.20 of the Criminal Procedure Law.
A violation of any section of this article shall constitute a violation punishable by a fine of up to $250.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Original Art. II of the 1989 Code, License Fees, which immediately followed this section, was repealed by L.L. No. 1-2010.