[Adopted 7-12-1971 as Ch. 28, Art. I, of the 1971 Code]
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]
BOARD or BOARD OF HEALTH
The Board of Health of Marple Township.
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.
A. 
Every stable or other building, structure, pen or corral where any animal is kept shall be constructed of such material and in such manner that it can be kept clean and sanitary at all times.
B. 
Every stable or other building shall be provided with a watertight and flytight receptacle for manure or animal refuse, of such dimensions as to contain all accumulations of manure or animal refuse, which container shall be emptied sufficiently often and in such manner as to prevent its becoming a nuisance. Such receptacle shall be kept securely covered at all times except when open during the deposit or removal of manure or refuse. No manure or animal refuse shall be allowed to accumulate except in such receptacle.
C. 
The Board shall require such measures necessary in order to avoid a nuisance, shall require that any such building be screened tightly against flies and that it be provided with running water, sewer drain connections and flooring impervious to water, except where the animal is stabled, and that such other measures be taken as may be necessary to ensure proper protection of the public health and safety and compliance with this article as conditions precedent to the issuance of any such special approval.
D. 
All structures, buildings, shelters, corrals, pens, coops or yards wherein small animals or fowl are kept shall be maintained in a clean and sanitary condition, devoid of all rodents and vermin and free of objectionable odors.
[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.