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m ~ ~~ ~~°ify~~~d~~ 2016-13 AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND CHAPTER 4 OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF PORTSMOUTH, VIRGINIA (2006) BY AMENDING SECTIONS 4-9, 4-13, 4-32, 4- 97, AND 4-98 PERTAINING TO PUBLIC ANIMAL SHELTERS AND BY ADJUSTING CITATIONS TO THE CODE OF VIRGINIA TO REFLECT AMENDMENTS TO STATE LAW. BE IT ORDAINED by the Council of the City of Portsmouth, Virginia: 1. That subsection (a) of Section 4-1 of the Code of the City of Portsmouth, Virginia (2006) is hereby amended as follows: Sec. 4-l. -Definitions. (a) Words defined by statute. The words and phrases used in this chapter shall, for the purposes of this chapter, have the meanings respectively ascribed to them in Code of Virginia, §3.2-6500 as in effect on July 1, 2015, and any subsequent amendments thereto, except in those instances where the context clearly indicates a different meaning. 2. That subsection (b) of Section 4-2 of the Code of the City of Portsmouth, Virginia (2006) is hereby amended as follows: Sec. 4-2. -Animal control officer. (b) The animal control officer and his deputies shall have the power to enforce this chapter, the Code of Virginia, §3.2-6500 et seq. and all ordinances and state laws for the protection of domestic animals. The animal control officer and his deputies shall have the power to issue a summons as authorized by Code of Virginia, §3.2- 6555. 3. That subsections (g) and (h) of Section 4-9 of the Code of the City of Portsmouth, Virginia (2006) are hereby amended as follows: Sec. 4-9. -Standards for keeping animals and household pets; harboring stray animals. (g) Without having first reported finding a lost or stray companion or domestic animal to the city's animal control unit or Portsmouth Humane Society or other entity serving as the city's public animal shelter, it shall be unlawful for any person, to allow the animal to remain on their property, harbor or keep such lost or stray animal for a period in excess of seven days. After seven days the person allowing the above actions shall be considered to be the owner/custodian of that animal and shall be responsible for that animal.