[Adopted 5-6-1955 by Ord. No. 89; amended
in its entirety 4-11-1990 by Ord. No. 1990-1 (Ch. 2, Part 1, of
the 1990 Code)]
As used in this article, the following terms
have the meanings indicated, unless a different meaning clearly appears
from the context:
Any person having a right of property in any dog or having
custody of any dog, or any person who harbors or permits a dog to
remain on or around his or her property.
Being upon any public highway, street, alley, park, or any
other public land, or upon property of another 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.
It shall be unlawful for the owner of any dog
or dogs to allow or permit such dog or dogs to run at large in the
Township of Swatara. Upon receiving a complaint or information that
a dog is running at large in Swatara Township, the Chief of Police
of said Township shall cause an investigation to be made, and if the
complaint is found to be true and correct, a notice in writing shall
be served upon the owner of the dog by a police officer notifying
said owner that his or her dog must be properly controlled and kept
from running at large in said Township. The Chief of Police shall
keep a record of all notices so served as set forth above, and upon
receiving a second complaint or information against the same owner,
if upon investigation the said second complaint or information is
found to be true and correct, then and in that event the Chief of
Police shall prosecute the said owner under the terms of this article.
[Amended 9-8-2004 by Ord.
No. 2004-6]
Any police officer or dog warden may seize any
dog found at large in Township of Swatara. Such dogs are to be impounded
in the East Shore Shelter of Humane Society of Harrisburg Area, Inc.,
located in Swatara Township or a licensed kennel.
Owners of licensed dogs are to be notified by
registered or certified mail, with return receipt, that the dog is
impounded and will be disposed of in five days if not claimed. Five
days after the return receipt has been received, and the dog has not
been claimed, the dog may be sold or destroyed in accordance with
the 1982 Dog Law.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: See 3 P.S. § 459-101
et seq.
Unlicensed dogs that are seized are to be held
in such kennel for 48 hours and if not claimed may be destroyed in
accordance with the 1982 Dog Law.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: See 3 P.S. § 459-101
et seq.
[Amended 9-8-2004 by Ord.
No. 2004-6]
Dogs that, in the opinion of any police officer
or dog warden, constitute a threat to public health and welfare may
be killed by the police, dog warden, an employee of the Department
of Agriculture, or an animal control officer (3 P.S. § 459-302).
The second time a dog is seized, the owner shall
pay a fine of $15 to the Township of Swatara as well as reasonable
fees for keeping the animal in a kennel. Any person allowing an animal
to run at large a third time in violation of this article shall, upon
conviction thereof, be sentenced to pay a fine of not more than $600
and, in default of payment of said fine and costs, to a term of imprisonment
not to exceed 30 days.
