[Adopted 2-14-1983 by Ord. No. 2-14-83D]
63.1.1. For the purpose of this ordinance, the following words shall have
the following meanings:
ANIMAL
Any living creature which roams free, excluding humans and
insects.
PERSON
Any natural person, partnership, association, corporation,
unincorporated association or firm.
TRAP
To attempt to capture, injure or kill or to capture, injure
or kill an animal by means of a trapping device.
TRAPPING DEVICE
A still leg trap, wire snare, pit, net, baited hook, weighted
log, wire cage or any similar device.
WILDLIFE
Animals excluding dogs, cats and other traditional domestic
pets.
63.2.1. No person, on or after the effective date of this ordinance, shall
set or place a trapping device or devices on property owned, leased
or controlled by him or allow to be trapped any animals or wildlife
at any time within the limits of the Municipality of Bethel Park.
63.3.1. State or local law enforcement officers in the discharge of their
official duties.
63.3.2. Any governmental official, when such hunting or trapping is necessary
to a scientific biological survey or when related to any aspect of
wildlife management and control.
63.3.3. The trapping of domestic rodents, which include only house mice and
rattus norvegicus, when using traps designed specifically for this
purpose.
63.3.4. Any property owner or his designated agent who traps on his own property
to control damaging wildlife for the protection of his property, after
having secured a permit for the same from the Bethel Park Police Department.
63.3.5. Any person holding a valid hunting license, trapping game in strict
conformance with the game laws and the regulations issued by the Game
Commission, and any supplemental regulations established pursuant
to the terms of this ordinance.
[Added 12-12-1983 by Ord. No. 12-12-83C]
63.4.1. Any person desiring to trap wildlife on his own property to control
wildlife which is damaging his property shall make application to
the Chief of Police or his designate in writing on a form provided
for that purpose. When it has been satisfactorily demonstrated that
a reasonable need exists for such trapping, and that the trapping
devices used will not present a hazard to children, domestic pets
and desirable forms of wildlife, a permit may be issued upon payment
of a fee of $5.
63.5.1. Any person who shall violate any provision of this ordinance shall
be guilty of a summary offense and shall be fined a sum not to exceed
$300 for each violation. Each day such violation exists shall constitute
a separate violation, and each trapping device set shall constitute
a separate violation.
63.6.1. Any ordinance or part of an ordinance conflicting with the provisions
of this ordinance be and the same is hereby repealed to the extent
of such conflict.
[Added by Ord. No. 12-12-83C]
63.7.1. The Chief of Police, upon the approval of the Manager, is hereby
authorized and directed to issue regulations governing trapping within
the Municipality, said regulations to be consistent with and supplemental
to the Commonwealth Game Laws. Said regulations shall contain, but
need not be limited to, the following provisions:
1. The posting of a security deposit in an amount of no less than $25,
as determined by the Chief from time to time, when a municipal trap
is made available to a citizen.
2. A requirement that any citizen borrowing a trap agree to indemnify
and hold the Municipality harmless from any damage to persons or property
occasioned by the use of the trap, said indemnity to be in writing
on a form approved by the Solicitor.
3. A requirement that any person borrowing a trap hold a license pursuant to Section
63.4 above or a license pursuant to the Commonwealth Game Laws.
4. That any person borrowing a trap shall be responsible for the cost
of replacement or repair of said trap where said trap is stolen, lost
or damaged.
63.8.1. The Police Department may maintain a supply of traps for the trapping
of animals and may, pursuant to regulations issued by the Chief of
Police, make available the same to a citizen of the Municipality of
Bethel Park for use on said person's property within Bethel Park.
[Added 12-12-1983 by Ord. No. 12-12-83C]