Chapter 6
POLICE REGULATIONS
Article 1. Dogs and Cats
§ 6-126 CATS; LICENSE. Every owner or possessor of any cat over 6 months of age within the City of Tecumseh, Nebraska shall within 30 days of the acquisition of the cat, acquire a license for each cat from the City Clerk. The owner shall renew the license annually for each cat on January 1 of each year. For any license issued more than 30 days after it is due, the license fee shall be increased by $10.00 per cat. The license fee for every male or female cat shall be $50.00 per cat. The license fee for every neutered/spayed cat shall be $10.00. In the event that the license tag is lost and upon satisfactory evidence that the original plate or tag was issued in accordance with the provisions herein, the City Clerk shall issue a duplicate or new tag for the balance of the year for which the tag has been paid and shall charge and collect a fee of one-half of the cost of the original tag. In addition to the above licensing fees, every owner or possessor of each and every cat shall pay to the City Clerk one dollar ($1.00) per year payable on the first (1 ) day of st January for the fees required by R.R.S. 54-603(3). No license shall be issued until the fees as described herein are paid and proof of the compliance with R.R.S. 71-4401, et, seq., requiring the vaccination for rabies is provided to the City Clerk. It shall be unlawful to own, maintain or possess any cat within the limits of the City, unless a license fee is paid and cat tags are constantly worn by the cats. (Ref. 7-7-4, Code 1966) (Amended by Ord. No. 92-852,11/2/92) (Amended March 2002) (Amended November 2009) (Amended September 2010) (Amended August 1, 2011)(Amended November 5, 2012)
§6-127 CATS RUNNING AT LARGE, UNCOLLARED. It shall be unlawful for the owner of any cat to allow such cat to run at large at any time within the corporate limits of the Municipality without a collar and the current license tag issued by the City Clerk. It shall be the duty of the City Clerk to cause any cat found to be running at large within the Municipality without a current license tag to be taken up and impounded. "Running at large" shall mean any cat found off the premises of the owner, and Ch. 6 Pg. 9 not under the control of the owner or a responsible person, either by leash, cord, chain, wire, rope, cage, or other suitable means of physical restraint. (Ord. No. 92-865, 11/2/92) (Amended August 1, 2011).
§6-128 CATS: IMPOUNDING. It shall be the duty of the Municipal Police to capture, secure and remove in a humane manner to the Municipal Animal Shelter any cat violating any of the provisions of this Article. The cats so impounded shall be treated in a humane manner and shall be provided with a sufficient supply of food and fresh water each day. Each impounded cat shall be kept and maintained at the pound for a period of not less than three (3) days for licensed cats and five (5) days for unlicensed cats after public notice has been given unless reclaimed earlier by the owner. However, if a cat is impounded that is severely injured, or which has a contagious disease other than rabies, and in the judgment of the Municipal Police or its designee the cat is suffering and recovery is doubtful, he may destroy said cat. Notice of impoundment of all cats, including any significant marks or identifications, shall be posted at the office of the Municipal Clerk within twenty-four (24) hours after impoundment as public notification of such impoundment. Any cat may be reclaimed by its owner during the period of impoundment by a payment of a general impoundment fee of $25.00 and an additional fee for feeding and care of $10.00 per day of impoundment or fraction, thereof. The owner shall then be required to comply with the licensing and rabies vaccination requirements within seventy-two (72) hours after release. If the cat is not claimed at the end of required waiting period after public notice has been given, the Municipal Police or its designee may dispose of the cat in accordance with the applicable rules and regulations pertaining to the same; provided, that if, in the judgment of the Municipal Police or its designee, a suitable home can be found for any such cat within the Municipality, the said cat shall be turned over to that person and the new owner shall then be required to meet all licensing and vaccinating requirements provided in this Article. The Municipality shall acquire legal title to any unlicensed cat impounded in the Animal Shelter for a period longer than the required waiting period after giving notice. All cats shall be destroyed in humane manner unless a suitable home can be found for such cat. (Ref. 17-548, 71-4408 RS Neb.) (Amended 12/1/03).
