As used in this article, the following terms have the meaning
indicated, unless a different meaning clearly appears from the context:
OWNER
Any person having a right of property in any animal or domestic
pet or having custody of any animal or domestic pet, or any person
who harbors or permits an animal or domestic pet to remain on or around
his or her property.
RUNNING AT LARGE
Being upon any public highway, street, alley, park or any
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 animal or domestic pet.
An Animal Control Officer shall be appointed by the Mayor and
shall report to the Chief of Police. Such Animal Control Officer,
along with the police officers, shall have concurrent responsibility
for the enforcement of this article and of the Dog Law of 1982, (3
P.S. § 459-101 et seq., as hereafter amended, supplemented,
modified or reenacted by the General Assembly of Pennsylvania); provided,
that he shall not have the power to make arrests under this Act of
Assembly or any other Act of Assembly or ordinance of the City.
It shall be unlawful for the owner of any animal or domestic
pet to allow or permit such animal or domestic pet to run at large
in the City.
Any police officer may seize any animal or domestic pet found
at large in the City. Such animal or domestic pet shall be impounded
in a facility provided by the City.
Owners of animals or domestic pets with an identification tag
giving the name and address of the owner shall be notified by registered
or certified mail, with return receipt, that the animal or domestic
pet is impounded and will be disposed of in three days if not claimed.
Three days after the return receipt indicates delivery or notification
by registered or certified mail to the recipient, and the animal or
domestic pet has not been claimed, the animal or domestic pet may
be destroyed in a humane fashion by the City.
Animals and domestic pets that do not have an identification
tag giving the name and address of the owner or that in the opinion
of any police officer constitutes a threat to public health and welfare
may be destroyed by the City in a humane fashion.
Any person allowing an animal or domestic pet to run at large
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 imprisonment for a term not to exceed 30 days.