[Adopted 4-1-2015 by Ord.
No. 993]
This article shall be known and referred to as the "South Whitehall
Township Dog Ordinance."
The following words and phrases, as used in this article, shall
have, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the meanings
given to them in this section:
OWNER
When applied to the proprietorship of a dog, shall include
every person having a right of property in such dog, and every person
who keeps or harbors such dog or has it in his care, and every person
who permits such dog to remain on or about any premises occupied by
him.
RUNNING AT LARGE
Being upon any highway, street, alley, park or any public
land or place, or upon the property of a person other than the owner
of the dog, and unaccompanied by the owner or keeper.
It shall be unlawful for the owner of any dog to allow or permit
such dog to run at large in the Township.
It shall be the duty of every police officer to seize and detain
any dog which is found running at large. Such dogs are to be impounded
and/or can be picked up at either the Township building or any location
which may be prescribed by the Board of Commissioners and which is
approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture Bureau of Dog
Law Enforcement to accept dogs running at large.
Any person found guilty of violating this article in a summary
offense proceeding before a District Justice may be sentenced to pay
a fine of not less than $100 but not more than $1,000 and to also
pay costs of prosecution and restitution and/or may be sentenced to
imprisonment in the county jail for not more than 90 days, provided
that each day's violation of the provisions of this article shall
constitute a separate offense.
In addition to any of the remedies provided above, any continual
violations of this article shall be considered a nuisance, and South
Whitehall Township may seek to abate said nuisance by instituting
appropriate legal proceedings.