[Ord. No. 2019-230, 2/11/2019]
As used in this Part, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
AT LARGE
Any dog being upon any public highway, street, park or land or upon private property of a person other than the owner, and not being accompanied by or under the control of the owner or any other person having custody of said dog with a leash having a length of not more than 10 feet.
OWNER
When applied to the proprietorship of a dog, includes every person having a right of property in such dog, and every person who keeps or harbors such dog or has it in his care, and every person who permits such dog to remain on or about any premises occupied by him.
[Ord. No. 2019-230, 2/11/2019]
It shall be unlawful for the owner or keeper of any dog, licensed or unlicensed, to permit such dog to run at large over the streets, public grounds or property, or upon the private property of anyone other than the owner or person having custody of the dog or of the property of anyone who has consented to the dog being at large on their property. The owner or keeper of the dog must be of appropriate age and discretion to properly control the actions of the dog.
[Ord. No. 2019-230, 2/11/2019]
An Animal Control Officer may be appointed by the Board of Supervisors or hired pursuant to a contract approved by the Board of Supervisors to serve at the pleasure of the Board or for the term of said contract. Such Animal Control Officer along with the East Coventry Township Police Department shall have concurrent responsibility for the enforcement of this Part and of the Pennsylvania Dog Law, 3 P.S. § 459.101 et seq. (the "Dog Law"), provided, that the Animal Control Officer shall not have the power to make arrests under the Dog Law or any ordinance of East Coventry Township.
[Ord. No. 2019-230, 2/11/2019]
The Township Police and Animal Control Officer shall seize and detain any dog, whether licensed or unlicensed, which is found running at large, either upon the public streets or lands of the Township or upon the property of a person other than the owner or keeper of such dog. The Township Police and Animal Control Officer are hereby authorized to go upon any land to seize and detain any dog which is found running at large unaccompanied by the owner or keeper.
[Ord. No. 2019-230, 2/11/2019]
The proper officers of the Township are hereby authorized to enter into such agreements or contracts with any individual or corporation, providing that such individual or corporation will act as Township Animal Control Officer, as may be reasonably necessary to implement this Part in regard to the seizure, care and custody of dogs detained by the Township pursuant to this Part. Such officers are further authorized to provide for reasonable compensation of such person for such services, or a fee or other basis of compensation which shall be charged against the owners or keepers of dogs that are seized and detained.
[Ord. No. 2019-230, 2/11/2019]
Any dog seized by a police officer or the Animal Control Officer shall be detained, properly kept and fed, and immediate notice, either personal or by registered mail, shall be given to the person in whose name the dog license was procured, or his or her agent, or to the owner of the dog not having a license, provided such owner is known, to claim such dog within five days or such later time period as may be specified by the Animal Control Officer under contract to provide dog seizure services to East Coventry Township. The police officer or Animal Control Officer also shall notify the owner, if known, of any dog sighted running at large in the Township but unable to be seized and detained.
[Ord. No. 2019-230, 2/11/2019]
Any dog not claimed in accordance with this Part shall be disposed of in accordance with the Dog Law.
[Ord. No. 2019-230, 2/11/2019]
A dog determined to be dangerous under § 502-A of the Dog Law, 3 P.S. § 459-502-A, shall be restrained or otherwise kept in accordance with Article V-A of the Dog Law.
[Ord. No. 2019-230, 2/11/2019]
This Part shall be supplemental to any laws of the Commonwealth, previously or subsequently adopted, covering dogs within the Commonwealth and specifically in the Township.
[Ord. No. 2019-230, 2/11/2019]
1. 
On the first two occasions a dog is seized and/or sighted running at large, the owner shall pay a fine in the amount of $25 to East Coventry Township. In addition, the owner of a dog so detained shall pay all acquisition, boarding and other fees and expenses for dog seizure and each day or any part thereof that the dog is kept in a kennel or other structure in an amount as established from time to time by resolution of the Board of Supervisors or by the contract of the Animal Control Officer providing seizure and detention services to the Township.
2. 
Any person cited for allowing a dog to run at large a third time within a period of three years in violation of this Part shall, upon conviction thereof, be sentenced to pay a fine of not more than $1,000 plus costs and the fees and expenses described above and, in default of payment of said fines, costs, fees and expenses, to a term of imprisonment not to exceed 30 days.