This article is enacted to regulate the maintenance, keeping or possession of animals within the Township of Springfield in order to promote the health, safety and general welfare of its inhabitants. Where the provisions of this article impose greater restrictions than those of any other ordinances, regulation or resolution, the provisions of this article shall be controlling. Where the provisions of any other ordinances, such as Chapter
114, Zoning, or regulation impose greater restrictions than this article, the provisions of such other ordinance or regulation shall be controlling.
The following definitions shall apply in the interpretation
and enforcement of this article:
ANIMAL
Includes not only animals so called, but also birds, fish,
reptiles and insects.
BOARD
The Board of Commissioners.
MENAGERIE
A collection of animals not listed in §
5-3 of this article kept in cages or enclosures for exhibition by a full-time professional trainer.
PERSON
Any individual, partnership, association, corporation, estate
or trust, as well as all officers, agents, servants, employees or
others acting for any of the same, and shall be taken as applying
in the singular or plural, as the case may require.
PET SHOP
A retail shop primarily in the business of selling animals and maintaining, keeping or possessing any animal for which a permit may be issued by the Board under §
5-4 hereto at any time during the calendar year or any part thereof.
ZOOLOGICAL GARDEN
A collection of animals not listed in §
5-3 of this article maintained in a park or garden by an educational, nonprofit or governmental corporation under the supervision of at least one professional zoologist.
Any person is permitted to maintain, keep or possess within
the Township of Springfield any of the following animals, which classifications
shall be strictly construed:
A. Cage
birds (the term includes parakeets, parrots, canaries, finches, love
birds, mynah birds and other birds ordinarily kept in cages in households;
it excludes wild birds captured or rescued and kept in cages).
C. Cows
(Bos taurus), beef and dairy; subject to zoning.
E. Dogs
(Canis familiaris), including prairie but excepting dingoes.
F. Goats
(Capra hircus), subject to zoning.
G. Goldfish
and carp (Cyprinidae).
H. Guinea
pigs (Cavia cobaya).
I. Hamsters
(Cricetus and Mesocricetus).
J. Horses
and ponies (Equus caballus), subject to zoning.
L. Mice,
white (Mus musculus).
N. Poultry
(ducks, chickens, swans, geese, turkeys, guinea fowl and pigeons kept
for show or racing), subject to zoning.
O. Rabbits,
restricted to European-type rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus), commonly
kept as pets or livestock.
P. Rats,
white (Rattus norvegicus).
Q. Salamanders
(any tailed amphibian).
R. Sheep
(Ovis aries), subject to zoning.
S. Snakes,
nonpoisonous and native to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
U. Tropical
fish, limited to those customarily maintained in a household aquarium
except piranhas.
W. Llamas
and alpacas (Lama), subject to zoning.
The Board of Commissioners may approve a permit for a zoological
garden or a menagerie, limiting the latter to no more than one month
in any one calendar year, if:
A. The
Board is satisfied that the applicant and all other persons placed
in charge of such animals are experts in their knowledge of the care
and handling of such animals.
B. The
highest standards are applied in safeguarding the public, and no human
being lives or resides within 100 feet of the quarters in which the
animals will be kept.
C. The
applicant provides the Board with a certificate of public liability
insurance in form and amount satisfactory to the Board issued by a
carrier satisfactory to the Board.
Upon completing the application form for a permit, the applicant shall pay $25 for permits issued under §
5-4 and $100 for permits issued under §
5-6 of this chapter.
Any person who violates any provisions of this article or of
any rules and regulations made pursuant hereto shall be liable, for
each offense, upon conviction before any court of jurisdiction, to
a fine of not more than $1,000, together with the costs of prosecution,
and each day's failure to comply with any such provision shall
constitute a separate violation. In addition, the township may institute
any appropriate action or proceeding, whether by legal process or
otherwise, to restrain, correct or abate a continuing violation of
any provision of this article or of any rules and regulations made
pursuant hereto.