[Adopted 4-7-2015 by Ord.
No. 15-08]
It shall be unlawful for any person to tether, fasten, chain,
tie, restrain or cause an unattended dog to be fastened, chained,
tied or restrained to houses, trees, fences, garages, stakes or other
stationary or highly immobile objects by means of a rope, chain, strap
or other physical restraint for the purpose of confinement, except
in circumstances where all of the following requirements are satisfied:
A.
The tethering is not for a longer period of time than necessary for
the dog owner or custodian to complete a temporary task that requires
the dog to be physically restrained for a reasonable period of time;
and
B.
The tether is attached to the dog by a nonchoke-type collar and attached
to the stationary object by swivel anchors, latches, or similar devices
in a manner which prevents the tether from becoming entangled around
any object so as to limit the dog's freedom within the tethered
area, or to prevent the dog, or any of its appendages, from becoming
entangled by the tether.
C.
The dog has easy access to clean drinking water and adequate shade
and/or shelter within the tethered area; and
D.
The dog is periodically monitored while tethered for the aforementioned
reasonable period of time; and
E.
The dog is not tethered outdoors during any period in which a severe
weather warning has been issued for Camden County by the National
Weather Service; and
G.
It shall be unlawful for any person to leave any dog outside and
unattended during any period in which a severe weather warning has
been issued for Camden County by the National Weather Service or for
a continuous period of time greater than 1/2 hour if the temperature
during such period remains entirely either:
H.
No outside confinement at night. No person owning or keeping a dog
in the town may leave a dog chained, tethered or confined outside
between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m.
In addition to the Borough police having jurisdiction, the Animal
Control Officer(s), and SPCA agent(s) are hereby authorized to notify
any owner or occupant of any premises in violation of this article,
either personally or by posting such notice upon the premises, that
such owner must bring the outdoor dog tethering violation into compliance
with this article within one day of receipt of such notice. Upon the
failure of such owner or occupant to bring his or her tethering situation
into compliance with this article within such period of time, any
of the foregoing individuals authorized by the Borough to enforce
this article are herby authorized to enter upon such premises and
to temporarily remove such dog(s) from the property.
Any removed dog will be held at the Camden County Animal Shelter
or other designated or authorized facility. Prior to any hearing regarding
the violation, such dog owner may regain possession of any confiscated
dog upon an adequate showing to the confiscating party that his or
her tethering situation has been brought into compliance with this
article. No confiscated dog shall be considered surrendered to the
confiscating party unless expressly surrendered by the dog owner or
adjudicated as forfeited after a hearing on the matter.
Any person who violates any provisions of this article shall
commit a summary offense, and shall, upon being found guilty by a
Magisterial District Judge, after a hearing, pay a fine not to exceed
$500, together with all enforcement and shelter costs in the event
a dog must be confiscated, and all court costs as permitted by law.
Each day of violation shall constitute a separate offense, which shall
be subject to prosecution as such. Enforcement and prosecution of
any violation of this article may be conducted by the Borough as provided
by law or by its agent and its counsel.
