[Adopted 8-26-1991]
This article shall be known as the "Animal Control
Ordinance of North Coventry Township."
As used in this article, the following terms
shall have the meanings indicated:
Any person designated as such whose duty it shall be to control
animals within the Township of North Coventry, pursuant to the terms
hereinafter set forth.
Any living organism, excluding plants and bacteria, typically
able to move about. Any such organism other than a human, being especially
any four-footed creature.
[Added 9-10-2007 by Ord.
No. 135]
Barking by a dog or the making of other noise by any animal,
including dogs, which although intermittent, is generally continuous
and sustained over a period of 15 minutes or more.
Any establishment wherein animals are kept for the purpose
of breeding, boarding, sale or show purposes, and which is so constructed
that animals cannot stray therefrom.
When applied to the proprietorship of an animal, shall include
every person having a right of property in such animal, and every
person who keeps or harbors such animal or has it in his care, and
every person who permits such an animal to remain on or about premises
occupied by him.
Includes state and local officers or employees, individuals,
corporations, copartnerships and associations. Singular words shall
include the plural. Masculine words shall include the feminine and
neuter.
It shall be unlawful for the owner, custodian
or keeper of any animal, licensed or unlicensed to allow such animal
to run at large at any time, either upon any street, alley or public
grounds in the Township of North Coventry, or upon the property of
another other than the owner, custodian or keeper of such animal,
unless accompanied and under the direct control of such owner, custodian
or keeper.
A.
It shall be the duty of every police officer, or any
person so designated as the Animal Control Officer under this article,
to seize and detain any animal which is found running at large, either
upon the public streets or highways, or upon the property of another
other than the owner of such animal, and unaccompanied by the owner
or keeper. It shall be the privilege of every police officer or Animal
Control Officer to kill any animal which is found running at large
and is deemed by the officer after due consideration, to constitute
a threat to the public health and welfare.
B.
The police officer or Animal Control Officer shall
cause any animal bearing a proper license tag and so seized and detained
to be properly kept and fed, and shall cause immediate notice, either
personal or by certified mail to be given to the person in whose name
the license was procured, and his agent to claim such animal in accordance
with the provisions hereinafter set forth. In the even that an unlicensed
animal is seized and detained, there be no obligation hereunder to
notify or determine the owner of said animal unless the name and address
of the owner of the said animal is properly affixed to said animal.
C.
The seized and detained animals may be redeemed by
the owner or his agent for a $15 penalty paid to Township of North
Coventry within 10 days of mailing of notice, and upon payment of
$10 per day charge plus any reasonable costs that are incurred by
reason of detention paid to the facility holding said animal. Adjustments
in rates for the detention of an animal shall be determined from time
to time by the Township of North Coventry by resolution of the Township
Board of Supervisors.
A.
Owners will be responsible for the proper curbing
of their animal, cleanliness of pounds and kennels and yards to prevent
any nuisance or health hazard to adjacent property owners.
B.
No animal shall be allowed to create excessive noise.
Owners will be responsible for any noise disturbance caused by their
animal.
It shall be unlawful for the owner or keeper
of any female dog to permit such female dog to go beyond the premises
of such owner or keeper at any time she is in heat, unless such female
dog is properly restrained by means of a collar and leash.
It shall be unlawful for the owner or keeper
of any animal to fail to keep such animal at all times either:
A.
Confined within the premises of the owner.
B.
Firmly secured by means of a collar and chain or other
device so that it cannot stray beyond the premises on which it is
secured.
C.
Under reasonable control of some person or when engaged
in lawful hunting or field training accompanied by the owner or handler.
D.
Confined within a pasture of the owner's, with the
fencing in good repair.
[Amended 9-10-2007 by Ord. No. 135]
Any owner, custodian or keeper of any animal who violates or permits a violation of this article shall, upon being found liable therefor in a civil enforcement proceeding commenced by the Township before a Magisterial District Judge, pay a fine of not more than $600, plus all court costs, including reasonable attorney's fees, incurred by the Township in the enforcement of this article, provided such fine and costs may be in addition to any payments required to be made under the above § 112-4C on redemption fees. No judgment shall be imposed until the date of the determination of the violation by the Magisterial District Judge. If the defendant neither pays nor timely appeals the judgment, the Township may enforce the judgment pursuant to the applicable Rules of Civil Procedure. Each day a violation exists shall constitute a separate offense. Further, the appropriate officers or agents of the Township are hereby authorized to seek equitable relief, including injunction, to enforce compliance herewith.
