[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:
OWNER
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.
RUNNING AT LARGE
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.
[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.