Int 0627-1999

Be it enacted by the Council as follows: Section 1. Title 17 of the administrative code of the city of New York is amended by adding thereto a new chapter 8 to read as follows: Chapter 8 FERRET REGULATION LAW §17-701 Short title. This subchapter shall be known and may be cited as the "Ferret Regulation Law." §17-702 Definitions. Whenever used in this subchapter, the following terms shall have the following meanings: (a) "Person" means an individual, corporation, association or other legal entity. (b) "Ferret" means the domestic ferret, ferret-fitch, or fitch. (c) "Inoculated against canine distemper and rabies" means that the subject ferret shall have received at minimum the first inoculation in the inoculation series for those diseases, provided that the subject ferret shall subsequently receive the remainder of the inoculation series, if any, and shall periodically receive booster shots or re-inoculations, when required, and provided further that the burden of proof shall rest upon the owner thereof to demonstrate that such requirements for periodic shots or inoculations have been complied with. The earliest date at which said periodic shots or inoculations may begin shall be determined by the schedule set forth on the manufacturer's label or instructions for the particular vaccine being used, or equivalent standards set by a competent veterinary authority. §17-703 Prohibitions. a. No person shall own or harbor a ferret unless such ferret has been spayed or neutered and inoculated against canine distemper and rabies. b. No person shall offer for sale, sell or give a ferret as a gift unless such ferret has been spayed or neutered and inoculated against canine distemper and rabies. c. No person shall liberate or allow the escape of any ferret in their possession. d. No person shall cause or permit the hunting of any animal with a ferret. §17-704 Violations. Any violation of this chapter or any of the rules promulgated hereunder shall, upon conviction thereof, be punishable by a fine of not less than two hundred fifty dollars nor more than five hundred dollars. Civil violations under this section shall be adjudicated before the department's administrative tribunal. §17-705 Construction. The provisions of this chapter shall not be construed to apply to: a. The Wildlife Conservation Society, the Staten Island Zoological Society or laboratories or institutions operated pursuant to section 504 of the public health law. b. Ferrets brought into the city of New York for a period not exceeding 30 days shall be exempt from the neutering and spaying requirements of this chapter provided that such ferrets shall not be bred or offered for sale while in the city of New York. § 2. This local law shall take effect immediately, provided however that the commissioner of health shall promulgate such rules and prescribe such forms as are necessary to effectuate the purposes of this chapter within ninety days after such effective date. 2