APPA 20152016 APPA National Pet Owners Survey; American Pet Products Association: Stamford, CT, 2017. Although the Baylor Law Review article and the Indiana Superior Court case suggest that a court may not hold caretakers responsible for the behavior of feral cats, the case law on this issue is nearly nonexistent. If you feed cats on public property, people might see what you are doing. 2, 2007) (pdf file - 628.01 KB). Provisions that define someone as an owner for feeding, harboring, or keeping an animal discourage well-meaning people from caring for cats and participating in Trap-Neuter-Return because they fear the costs and legal consequences associated with owning the cats. Like Connecticut, Delaware, and Maine, Rhode Island states that any individual who permits a cat to habitually be or remain on or be lodged or fed within such persons property or premises qualifies as an owner. Three years later, nocturnal vocalizing had been greatly reduced and was not detected by the authors at any time during the three-year census [3]. This ordinance clearly outlined the rights and duties of feral cat caretakers, giving the judge a legal basis for deciding whether the defendant was liable for damage to the plaintiff's property. Detailed Discussion of Feral Cat Legal Issues. Licensing requirements are often a death sentence for community cats because they typically require that any cat not displaying a license tag be impounded. Under Virginia law, local governments may prohibit any person other than a releasing agency that has registered as such annually with local animal control from owning a cat four months old or older within such locality unless such cat is licensed as provided by this article. Va. Code Ann. ; Mazet, J.A.K. Always be polite but firm when speaking to an animal control representative. to what extent can a caretaker be liable for tort damages caused by feral cats? Although the plaintiffs attempted to trap the cats and bring them to animal control, the animal shelter ultimately told the plaintiffs that the shelter did not have room to house any more cats. You: What happens if I say no? Or, politely request to speak to your attorney first. Despite the fact that a feral cat ordinance was the controlling law in the case, the judge still held in favor of the defendant because that ordinance did not specifically create a duty owed by the defendant to the plaintiff. Attitudes toward and perceptions of free-roaming cats among individuals living in Ohio. This site is not a law firm and cannot offer legal advice. Post No Trespassing signs in your front yard and other areas you seek to keep private. Alley Cat Allies has protected and improved the lives of cats for 32 years. This article addresses three primary legal questions. Animal Control: Weve had complaints about cats that you feed. You: Could I see the warrant, please? ; Haller, L. The Effects of Implementing a Feral Cat Spay/Neuter Program in a Florida County Animal Control Service. All rights reserved. Id . When a person sees a malnourished kitten roaming her neighborhood, her first instinct is often to stop and help.
