As used in this article, the following terms
shall have the meanings indicated:
ANIMAL
A dog, cat or other mammal susceptible to rabies.
[Added 2-10-1986 by Ord. No. 86-4]
EXPIRATION DATE
The date designated or indicated in the vaccination certificate
as marking the end of the period of immunity from rabies afforded
by the vaccination.
[Added 2-10-1986 by Ord. No. 86-4]
HEALTH OFFICER
The Health Officer of the Board of Health of Marple Township
or his duly authorized agent.
NUISANCE
A public condition adversely affecting the public health
or safety.
OWNER
The owner, owners, operator or operators of any building,
structure or property, whether individual, firm, corporation, association
or partnership.
PERSON
Any individual, firm, corporation, association or partnership,
and includes the singular as well as the plural, and the female as
well as the male.
RABIES
A fatal infectious disease of the brain caused by a specific
virus which occurs in saliva and is transmitted to new victims by
the bite of afflicted animals.
VACCINATION
The practice of innoculating with a vaccine to afford protection
against rabies.
[Added 2-10-1986 by Ord. No. 86-4]
VACCINATION CERTIFICATE
A document signed by a qualified veterinarian, indicating
that the animal therein described has been vaccinated against rabies
and containing the additional facts called for by this article.
[Added 2-10-1986 by Ord. No. 86-4]
VACCINATION TAG
A metal or durable plastic tag stating the dates of vaccination,
the tag number and the veterinarian's name. Such tag must be affixed
to the collar or harness and be worn by the animal at all times.
[Added 2-10-1986 by Ord. No. 86-4]
VETERINARIAN
A graduate of an accredited school of veterinary medicine
licensed to practice in the State of Pennsylvania.
[Added 2-10-1986 by Ord. No. 86-4]
[Amended 3-12-1973 by Ord. No. 73-9]
A. All persons engaged in the business of keeping for
sale animals, domestic fowl, psittacine birds or reptiles within the
limits of the Township, when in accordance with existing zoning regulations,
shall register such fact with the Board in order to conduct such business.
The person receiving approval from the Board to engage in such business
shall be held responsible by the Health Officer for the maintenance
of the premises where such animals, fowl or reptiles are kept. Such
premises shall be kept clean and in a sanitary condition at all times.
B. A bound book shall be maintained currently in which
would be recorded date of sale, name and address of purchaser, type
of animal, source of animal and number of certificate of health if
animal had one. This record must be kept for a minimum of two years.
These records will be checked by the Health Officer or his agent biannually.
[Amended 6-9-1980 by Ord. No. 80-10; 9-11-1989 by Ord. No.
89-23]
All persons who have obtained approval from
this Board to keep animals, birds or reptiles for sale shall pay an
annual license fee for each calendar year in the amount as set from
time to time by resolution of the Board of Commissioners for each
such separate establishment authorized by the Board.
From and after the effective date of this article,
no person shall keep and maintain within the limits of this Township
any buildings, shelters, pens or corrals for any animals or domestic
fowl on any lot of less than one acre in area. Such buildings, shelters,
corrals or pens shall be so located on the property as to be at least
100 feet from any building used for human habitation, and at least
50 feet from any property line. This section shall not apply to buildings,
shelters, pens, coops or yards wherein not more than two small animals
are kept.
[Added 5-9-1977 by Ord. No. 77-9]
A. It shall be unlawful for the owner, keeper or handler
of any horse to permit such horse to be exercised or ridden on any
public street, highway, public park or public property.
B. It shall be unlawful for the owner, keeper or handler
of any horse, at any time whatsoever, to permit such horse to run
at large or to cause any damage to any buildings, lawns, shrubbery
or any other real or personal property or to cause any annoyance to
persons in the Township of Marple.
C. It shall be the duty of any owner, keeper or handler
of every horse within the Township of Marple at all times to keep
such horse either on an adequate restrainer or such other device so
as to keep the horse under the reasonable control of the person then
handling such horse or in an enclosure from which it cannot escape
or firmly secured by means of a halter and chain or other device so
that it cannot stray beyond the premises on which it is secured. Failure
of any such owner, keeper or handler to properly restrain his said
horse shall subject him to the penalties as prescribed in this article.
The Health Officer shall inspect any such structure
or premises against which a complaint had been made and issue any
such order as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this
article.
Failure to secure a permit or approval when
required or operating after suspension or revocation of a permit by
the Board shall constitute a violation of this article. When written
notice of a violation of any of the provisions of this article has
been served upon any person, such violation shall be discontinued
immediately or within such time period as is authorized by the Board.
[Amended 6-12-2000 by Ord. No. 2000-10]
Any person who shall violate any of the provisions
of this article shall, upon conviction thereof, be subject to a maximum
fine of $600, plus costs of prosecution, and, in default of payment
of such fine and costs, imprisonment for a term not exceeding 30 days.