[Adopted 1-30-1985 by Ord. No. 85-4; amended 9-28-2005 by Ord. No. 05-24]
As used in this article and for purposes of
this article, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
Any living creature, the very presence of which in a community of persons poses a threat of harm or injury, physical, psychosomatic or psychic, if that creature were to leave its keeper's premises unattended or unrestrained. This does not include, nor shall this article apply to dogs, cats or swine, the presence of which in the Township is regulated by Articles I and II of this Chapter 101 of the Pennsauken Code.
To give, place, expose, deposit, distribute or scatter any
edible material with the intention of feeding, attracting, or enticing
wildlife.
When applied to the proprietorship of a dangerous animal
or lands and premises in Pennsauken, shall include any person or persons
residing, staying or situated anywhere in the Township of Pennsauken.
Includes a person of either sex, of any age or any association
of natural persons, including a partnership, corporation or any other
form of association.
All animals that are neither human or domesticated, to include
fowl (turkeys, wild turkeys, chickens, roosters and all other poultry),
swine, feral animals (including, but not limited to, feral cats),
or rodents.
[Amended 6-3-2021 by Ord. No. 2021:12]
A.
No person shall permit, allow or cause any dangerous
animal, as previously described in this article, to run loose or otherwise
roam free outside of the confines of any building or structure owned
or occupied by any aforesaid person within the boundaries of the Township
of Pennsauken.
B.
This prohibition shall apply to persons occupying
buildings or structures in all land use districts of the Township
of Pennsauken.
C.
The prohibited acts enumerated above shall not be
construed to apply to dangerous animals, as previously defined, which
are properly restrained or caged for the sole purpose of transporting
the animal from one building or structure to another, including but
not limited to purchase by any person of such an animal at any bona
fide retail establishment that deals in the sale of such animals,
commonly entitled a "pet shop."
D.
No person shall feed, in any public park or any other
property owned or operated by the Township of Pennsauken, any wildlife,
excluding confined wildlife (for example wildlife confined in zoos,
parks or rehabilitation centers or unconfined wildlife at environmental
education centers). Feeding of wildlife is prohibited on private property
where it causes a nuisance, as defined in this article, to any other
public or private property.
[Amended 6-3-2021 by Ord. No. 2021:12]
[Amended 6-3-2021 by Ord. No. 2021:12]
If a dangerous animal is at any time located
or found anywhere in the Township, other than on the lands and premises
of the owner or keeper of same, it shall be deemed a public nuisance.
Such dangerous animal so found may be seized at once by the Animal
Control Officer or any police officer appointed within the Township,
or any other duly designated official. If it is practicable, such
officer shall hold and promptly dispose of such animal in as humane
a manner as possible. If it is not practicable to seize and/or hold
such dangerous animal because it poses an immediate threat of physical
harm to either such official or to any other person in the Township,
then such official may destroy the animal directly.
[Amended 7-25-2007 by Ord. No. 2007-26]
Any person who violates any provisions of this
article shall, upon conviction, be subject to one or more of the following:
a fine not exceeding $2,000 or imprisonment in the county jail for
a term not exceeding 90 days, or a period of community service not
exceeding 90 days. Such penalty shall be imposed within the discretion
of the Municipal Court Judge of Pennsauken Township, giving due consideration
to the dangerous quality of the dangerous animal and the intentional
or nonintentional aspect of its owner's or keeper's violation.
