As used in this article, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
ANIMAL
A dog, cat or other companion animal (pet).
ANIMAL ESTABLISHMENT
Any animal grooming shop, animal boarding facility or animal
hospital or animal training facility within the lawful zoning classifications
of the Borough of Dormont.
ANIMAL SHELTER
A facility designated or recognized by Dormont Borough for
the purpose of impounding and caring for animals.
AT LARGE
An animal shall be deemed to be at large when off the property
of the owner/guardian, unaccompanied and not under restraint. An animal
shall be considered under restraint if the animal is within the owner's/guardian's
real property limits or is secured by a leash or lead or is otherwise
under the immediate control of the owner/guardian.
CAT
Domestic feline, felis domesticus.
DOG
Domestic canine, canis familiaris.
HUMANE MANNER
Care of an animal is to include, but not be 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 and, at a minimum, shall require compliance with state and county animal care requirements, including but not limited to 7 Pa. Code Part II, Chapter
21, and 18 Pa.C.S.A. § 5511.
NEUTERED
Rendered permanently incapable of reproduction.
NUISANCE
The actions of the owner/guardian of an animal or the omissions
of such owner/guardian of an animal shall be considered to be a nuisance
if the animal damages, soils, defiles or defecates, unless such waste
is immediately removed and properly disposed of by the owner/guardian.
The actions of the owner/guardian of an animal or the failure to act
on the part of an owner/guardian of an animal shall also be considered
a nuisance if the actions of the animal cause unsanitary and dangerous
conditions; cause frequent and extended disturbances by excessive
noisemaking; or it chases vehicles; or it attacks or interferes with
people or other animals on property other than that of the owner/guardian.
OWNER/GUARDIAN
A person having the right of property or custody of an animal
and/or one who keeps or harbors an animal and/or one who knowingly
permits an animal to remain on or about any premises occupied by that
person.
PERSON
Any individual, corporation, partnership, organization or
institution commonly recognized by law as a unit or the officers of
a corporation or the partners of a partnership.
All dogs and cats shall be vaccinated against rabies in accordance
with the Rabies Prevention and Control in Domestic Animals and Wildlife
Act (3 P.S. § 455.1 et seq.).
[Amended 8-1-1994 by Ord. No. 1433]
A. A current license issued by the County of Allegheny shall be obtained
by the owner/guardian of every dog.
B. Every cat and dog must wear an identification collar clearly and
legibly indicating the name, address and phone number of the owner/guardian.
Cat collars must be safety-type collars with either elastic strips
or breakaway fasteners. Dogs must also display their County of Allegheny
license number.
C. All animals, when not within the owner's/guardian's real property
limits, must be secured by a leash or lead or otherwise under the
immediate control of the owner/guardian.
D. No owner/guardian of an animal shall be permitted to cause a nuisance.
The owner/guardian of every animal shall be held responsible for every
act and behavior of such animal under the provisions of this article.
E. The Borough shall follow the provisions of Article V-A of the Dog
Law (3 P.S. § 459-502-A et seq.), as amended, concerning
dangerous dogs. Animal Control Officers and/or police officers of
the Borough of Dormont may order other vicious animals confined by
the animal's owner/guardian within a building or secure enclosure.
F. Except in cases of self-defense, the abandonment, killing, harming
or tormenting of any animal, wild or domestic, is prohibited and is
subject to fines and penalties provided herein, in addition to such
fines and penalties as may be imposed under county, state and federal
laws.
G. All animals shall be kept and cared for in a humane manner at all
times. Animals shall be provided constant access to shelter which
protects the animal from inclement weather, keeps the animal dry and
keeps the animal's body temperature within the normal range.
Chains or ropes of any material must be appropriate to the size and
type of animal, must be at least five times the length of the animal
but not less than 10 feet in length, must be placed and attached so
that the chain cannot become entangled so as to reduce the length
of the chain and must be attached to the animal by a belt-type collar.
No animal may be housed on a temporary or permanent basis in a metal
structure.
H. No person shall own, harbor or maintain a wolf or wolf hybrid, a
nondomestic dog or nondomestic dog hybrid or a nondomestic cat or
nondomestic cat hybrid, except in accordance with Pennsylvania state
law.
The Borough of Dormont hereby finds, determines and declares
that this article is necessary for the immediate preservation of the
public health, safety and welfare of the Borough of Dormont and the
inhabitants thereof and for the welfare of animals.