[Adopted 6-11-1985 by Ord. No. 397
(Ch. 2, Part 1 of the 1996 Code)]
The following terms shall have the meanings set forth in this section
except where the context indicates otherwise.
Any living creature the subject of ownership (other than livestock
held for agricultural purposes) which is kept, harbored or permitted to remain
on or about the residence of the owner or occupant of the premises.
Any individual, corporation, partnership, organization or institution
commonly recognized by law as a legal entity.
Subject to the limitations or exceptions hereinafter set forth, no person
shall own, keep or harbor any animal over six months of age within the Borough
of Coopersburg unless such animal is vaccinated and licensed.
A.
The provisions of this section shall not apply to animals
owned by a licensed research facility or held in a licensed veterinary facility
or licensed veterinary facility of a licensed animal shelter.
B.
Animals which shall be vaccinated are those for which
an approved rabies vaccine is available as set forth in the latest "Compendium
of Animal Rabies Vaccines and Recommendations for Immunization" published
by the National Association of State Public Health Veterinarians.
C.
Animals which shall be licensed are those for which the
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania acting through the County of Lehigh, as agent,
require the issuance of a license.
D.
Animals shall be vaccinated against rabies only by a
licensed veterinarian who shall issue a certificate of vaccination to the
owner together with a durable vaccination tag indicating the year of issuance.
E.
Animals subject to either license or vaccination, or
both, must wear the tags at all times. Such tags shall be attached to the
collar of the animal. Any animal found not bearing the appropriate current
identification tags as herein specified shall be subject to impoundment and
the owner subject to fine as hereinafter set forth.
[Amended 4-23-1996 by Ord. No. 509]
A.
All animals subject to license and vaccination, or both,
shall be confined by the owner within a building or secure enclosure or shall
be securely muzzled, leashed, or caged whenever off the premises of the owner.
B.
Any animal subject to licensing and vaccination as herein
provided and found running at large without a muzzle, or unleashed or not
caged as the nature of the animal may require, is hereby declared to be a
public nuisance subject to impoundment.
A.
Any animal found running at large shall be impounded
by the Animal Control Authority in an animal shelter and confined in a humane
manner. Immediately upon impounding an animal, the Animal Control Authority
shall make every reasonable effort to notify the owner and inform such owner
of the conditions whereby custody of the animal may be regained. Such conditions
may include the reasonable costs incurred during impoundment, including, but
not limited to, the cost of food, shelter, transportation, and administrative
expense. Animals not claimed within a period of 10 days shall become the property
of the Borough or its assigns.
B.
When the animal is found running at large and its ownership
is verified by the Animal Control Authority, the Animal Control Authority
may exercise the option of serving the owner with a notice of violation of
this article in lieu of, or in addition to, impounding the animal.
C.
In the event the Animal Control Authority finds animals
to be suffering, he shall have the right forthwith to remove, or cause to
have removed, any such animal to a safe place for care at the owner's
expense, or to euthanize, or cause to be euthanized, the animal when necessary
to prevent further suffering. Return of the animal to the owner may be withheld
until the owner shall have made full payment for all expenses incurred, including,
but not limited to, the cost of food, shelter, transportation, veterinary
services, medical supplies, and administrative tasks.
D.
Disposal of an animal by any method specified herein
does not relieve the owner of liability for violations and any incurred charges.
A.
No animal impounded or quarantined under the provisions
of this article may be redeemed until (1) the animal complies with the vaccination
and licensing requirements of this chapter, and (2) all applicable costs have
been paid, and (3) all fines levied under this article have been paid, and
(4) if the animal was impounded for rabies quarantine, then redemption shall
also require the approval of the Animal Control Authority.
B.
Payment of impoundment fees is not considered to be in
lieu of any fine, penalty, vaccination, or license fee.
A.
The Animal Control Authority is hereby authorized to
investigate a reported animal biting incident or any suspicion of exposure
to rabies, and to notify the animal's owner using an appropriate quarantine
notice that said animal must be quarantined in accordance with this article
for a period of not less than 10 full days following, but not including, the
day of the bite. (All costs for professional services, quarantine, vaccination,
observation, etc., shall be the responsibility of the owner, and may be deemed
due and payable as incurred.)
B.
It shall be unlawful for the owner of any animal which bites any person, regardless of the circumstances or whether the animal is vaccinated for rabies protection or not, not to confine said animal either within an enclosure at home, a veterinary hospital, or restricted by leash composed of chain or other indestructible material, for the period set forth in Subsection A above.
C.
It shall be unlawful to destroy any quarantined animal which should, for any reason, die during the quarantined period as set forth in Subsection A above, regardless of the animal's whereabouts at the time of death. Within three hours of the animal's death, the Animal Control Authority shall be advised and given custody of the entire carcass. No part of the carcass may be destroyed, removed, or altered by the owner or any individual.
[Amended 4-23-1996 by Ord. No. 509]
The Police Department of the Borough of Coopersburg, or such other person
or persons as Borough Council may from time to time designate, shall act in
the capacity of Animal Control Authority under the provisions of this article.
No person shall interfere with, hinder, or molest any agent of the Animal
Control Authority in the performance of his or her duty.
A.
Any person found guilty of interference with the performance
of the duty of an Animal Control Authority agent shall be subject to a fine
of not less than $100.
B.
Failure of the owner to comply with the provisions of § 100-3 regarding animal control shall subject the owner to a fine of not less than $15 and not exceeding $50 for the first two offenses. The owner shall also be responsible for reasonable fees for keeping the animal in a kennel as fixed pursuant to a resolution of the Borough Council.
C.
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 plus costs; and in default of payment,
to imprisonment for a term not to exceed 30 days.
[Amended 4-23-1996 by Ord. No. 509]
