[Adopted 6-5-2007 by Ord. No. 716]
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the meanings
indicated:
A dog, cat or other domesticated companion animal (pet).
The Borough of Trafford or the persons or firm designated by said
Borough to enforce this article.
Any pet shop, grooming shop, animal auction, performing-animal exhibition,
kennel, or animal shelter, except this term shall not include residences where
fewer than three animals are bred less than three times annually for noncommercial
purposes, veterinary medical facilities, licensed research facilities, facilities
operated by governmental agencies, or licensed animal dealers regulated by
the USDA under the provisions of U.S. Public Laws 89544 and 91579.
Facility designated or recognized by the Borough of Trafford for
the purpose of impounding and caring for animals.
An animal shall be deemed to be at large when off the property of
the owner and not under restraint.
Care of an animal to include, but not limited to, adequate heat,
ventilation and sanitary shelter, wholesome food and water, consistent with
the normal requirements and feeding habits of the animal's size, species and
breed.
An establishment kept for the purpose of breeding, selling, or boarding
animals or engaged in training dogs.
Rendered permanently incapable of reproduction.
A person having the right of property or custody of an animal or
who harbors an animal or knowingly permits an animal to remain on or about
any premises occupied by that person.
Any individual, corporation, partnership, organization, or institution
commonly recognized by law as a unit.
An establishment engaged in the business of buying or selling, at
retail, dogs, cats or other animals for profit-making purposes.
An animal shall be considered under restraint if it is within the
real property limits of its owner or secured by a leash or lead under the
control of a responsible person.
An animal that constitutes a physical threat to humans or other domestic
animals.
A.
No person shall own, keep, or harbor any animal over
three months of age within the Borough of Trafford unless such animal is vaccinated
and licensed by the County of Westmoreland. The provisions of this section
do not apply to animals owned by a licensed research facility or held in a
veterinary medical facility or government operated or licensed animal shelter.
A copy of said license application is attached hereto and made a part of this
article.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Said license application is available at the Borough
offices.
B.
All animals shall be vaccinated against rabies by a licensed
veterinarian, in accordance with the latest "Compendium of Animal Rabies Vaccines
and Recommendations for Immunization" published by the National Association
of State Public Health Veterinarians.
C.
A certificate of vaccination shall be issued to the owner
of each animal vaccinated on a form recommended by the Compendium. Each owner
shall also receive a durable vaccination tag indicating the year in which
it was issued. Every owner shall be required to provide each animal with a
collar to which such vaccination tag must be affixed.
D.
No person shall keep harbor or maintain an animal over
the age of three months unless the owner obtains a license from the Borough
of Trafford or other authorized agent. The license year shall be from January
1 to December 31 of each year.
E.
Upon payment of the license fee, there shall be issued
to the owner a tag for each animal license. The tag shall be changed every
year and shall have stamped on it the year for which it was issued. Every
owner shall be required to provide each animal with a collar to which such
license tag must be affixed. The fees for said licenses shall be as the Council
may from time to time set by resolution and may provide for different license
fees for spayed and/or neutered animals and those that are not.
F.
Any person violating any of the provisions of this section,
and convicted of the same, shall be liable for a fine of not less that $100
nor more than $1,000, plus actual costs of prosecution incurred for each animal
not in accordance with this article.
A.
The Borough of Trafford may revoke any permit if the
person holding the permit refuses or fails to comply with this article, the
regulations promulgated by the Borough of Trafford or any other law governing
the protection and the keeping of animals.
B.
If an applicant is shown to have withheld or falsified
any material information on the application, the Borough of Trafford may refuse
to issue or may revoke a permit.
C.
It shall be a condition of issuance of any permit for
an animal establishment that the Borough of Trafford shall be permitted to
inspect any and all animals and the premises where such animals are kept at
any reasonable time during the normal business hours.
A.
All animals shall be kept under restraint and shall be
securely on a leash at all times when the animal is in public and not in or
on the owner's premises.
B.
Every vicious animal, as determined by the Borough of
Trafford, shall be confined by its owner within a building or secure enclosure
and shall be securely muzzled or caged whenever off the premises of its owner.
C.
The owner of every animal shall be responsible for every
behavior of such animals under the provisions of this article.
D.
Any person violating any of the provisions of this section,
and convicted of the same, shall be liable for a fine of not less that $100
nor more than $1,000, plus actual costs of prosecution incurred, and in default
thereof, shall be sentenced to the Westmoreland County jail for a period not
exceeding 30 days.
A.
Any animal found running at large shall be impounded
by the Borough of Trafford in an animal shelter and in a humane manner. Immediately
upon impounding an animal, the Borough of Trafford shall make every reasonable
attempt to notify the owner and inform such owner of the conditions whereby
custody of the animal may be regained. Animals not reclaimed by their owners
within a period of five full days in which the shelter is open to the public
shall become the property of the Borough of Trafford.
B.
When an animal is found running at large and its ownership
is verified by the Borough of Trafford, the authority may exercise the option
of serving the owner with a notice of violation in lieu of impounding the
animal.
C.
In the event that the Borough of Trafford finds animals
to be suffering, it shall have the right forthwith to remove or cause to have
removed any such animals to a safe place for care at the owner's expense or
to euthanize when necessary to prevent further suffering. Return to the owner
may be withheld until the owner shall have made full payment for all expenses
so incurred.
D.
Disposal of an animal by any method specified herein
does not relieve the owner of liability for violations and any accrued charges.
No person shall interfere with, hinder or molest any agent of the Borough
of Trafford in the performance of any duty as herein provided. Any person
violating this section shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be
subject to a fine of not less that $100 nor more than $1,000 plus actual costs
of prosecution incurred.
