[Adopted 3-11-1985 by Ord. No. 1985-4 (Ch.
7, Art. IV of the 1971 Code)]
As used in this article, the following terms
shall have the meanings indicated:
Includes any wild mammal, reptile or fowl which is not naturally
tame or gentle but is of a wild nature or disposition and which because
of its size, vicious nature or other characteristics would constitute
a danger to human life or property if it is not kept or maintained
in a safe manner or in secure quarters.
Any member of the domestic feline species, male, female,
or altered that has without provocation attacked, bitten or injured
a human being.
[Added 5-8-2006 by Ord. No. 2006-12]
Seize summarily, confine and retain in custody.
The owner, keeper, handler or harborer.
Includes any natural person, association, partnership or
organization or corporation.
[Amended 5-8-2006 by Ord. No. 2006-12]
No person shall own, keep or harbor any dangerous
animal or dangerous cat in the Borough.
[Amended 5-8-2006 by Ord. No. 2006-12]
A.
Upon the written complaint of any person that a person
owns or is keeping or harboring a dangerous animal or a dangerous
cat in the Borough, the Chief of Police shall forthwith cause the
matter to be investigated, and if after investigation the facts indicate
that such person named in the complaint is in fact the owner or is
keeping or harboring any such dangerous animal or dangerous cat in
the Borough, he shall forthwith send written notice to such person
requiring such person to safely remove said animal from the Borough
within three days of the date of said notice. Notices herein provided
shall not be required where such dangerous animal has previously caused
serious physical harm or death to any person or has escaped and is
at large, in which case the Chief of Police shall cause said animal
to be immediately seized and impounded or killed, if seizure and impoundment
are not possible without risk of serious physical harm or death to
any person. Notices herein provided shall not be required where such
a dangerous cat has previously caused serious physical harm or death
to any person, in which case the dangerous cat shall be immediately
seized and impounded and shall not be returned to the Borough.
B.
The Chief of Police shall forthwith cause to be seized
and impounded any dangerous animal or dangerous cat where the person
owning, keeping or harboring such animal or dangerous cat(s) has failed
to comply with the notice sent pursuant to this section. Upon a seizure
and impoundment, such animal or dangerous cat shall be delivered to
a place of confinement which may be with any organization which is
authorized by law to accept, own, keep or harbor such animal(s) or
dangerous cat(s).
C.
If, during the course of seizing and impounding any
such animal or dangerous cat, the animal poses a risk of serious physical
harm or death to any person, such person or person authorized by the
Chief of Police may render said animal immobile by means of tranquilizers
or other safe drugs, or, if that is not safely possible, then said
animal or dangerous cat may be killed.
[Amended 5-8-2006 by Ord. No. 2006-12]
Any costs incurred by the Chief of Police in
seizing, impounding and confining any dangerous wild animal or dangerous
cats shall be charged against the owner, keeper or harborer of such
animal or dangerous cat(s) and shall be collected by the Borough Attorney.
Such charge shall be in addition to any fine or penalty provide for
violating this article. The owner, keeper or harborer of any such
dangerous animal or dangerous cat shall be financially responsible
for any necessary rabies testing.
[Amended 5-8-2006 by Ord. No. 2006-12]
Any person, firm or corporation violating any
provision of this article shall be fined not less than $50 nor more
that $500 for each offense and may be confined to the Burlington County
Jail for a period not in excess of 30 days. A separate offense shall
be deemed committed on each day during or on which a violation occurs
or continues.
