[Ord. No. 2019-230, 2/11/2019]
As used in this Part, the following terms shall have the meanings
indicated:
Any dog being upon any public highway, street, park or land
or upon private property of a 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 dog with a leash having a length of
not more than 10 feet.
When applied to the proprietorship of a dog, includes 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.
[Ord. No. 2019-230, 2/11/2019]
It shall be unlawful for the owner or keeper of any dog, licensed
or unlicensed, to permit such dog to run at large over the streets,
public grounds or property, or upon the private property of anyone
other than the owner or person having custody of the dog or of the
property of anyone who has consented to the dog being at large on
their property. The owner or keeper of the dog must be of appropriate
age and discretion to properly control the actions of the dog.
[Ord. No. 2019-230, 2/11/2019]
An Animal Control Officer may be appointed by the Board of Supervisors
or hired pursuant to a contract approved by the Board of Supervisors
to serve at the pleasure of the Board or for the term of said contract.
Such Animal Control Officer along with the East Coventry Township
Police Department shall have concurrent responsibility for the enforcement
of this Part and of the Pennsylvania Dog Law, 3 P.S. § 459.101
et seq. (the "Dog Law"), provided, that the Animal Control Officer
shall not have the power to make arrests under the Dog Law or any
ordinance of East Coventry Township.
[Ord. No. 2019-230, 2/11/2019]
The Township Police and Animal Control Officer shall seize and
detain any dog, whether licensed or unlicensed, which is found running
at large, either upon the public streets or lands of the Township
or upon the property of a person other than the owner or keeper of
such dog. The Township Police and Animal Control Officer are hereby
authorized to go upon any land to seize and detain any dog which is
found running at large unaccompanied by the owner or keeper.
[Ord. No. 2019-230, 2/11/2019]
The proper officers of the Township are hereby authorized to
enter into such agreements or contracts with any individual or corporation,
providing that such individual or corporation will act as Township
Animal Control Officer, as may be reasonably necessary to implement
this Part in regard to the seizure, care and custody of dogs detained
by the Township pursuant to this Part. Such officers are further authorized
to provide for reasonable compensation of such person for such services,
or a fee or other basis of compensation which shall be charged against
the owners or keepers of dogs that are seized and detained.
[Ord. No. 2019-230, 2/11/2019]
Any dog seized by a police officer or the Animal Control Officer
shall be detained, properly kept and fed, and immediate notice, either
personal or by registered mail, shall be given to the person in whose
name the dog license was procured, or his or her agent, or to the
owner of the dog not having a license, provided such owner is known,
to claim such dog within five days or such later time period as may
be specified by the Animal Control Officer under contract to provide
dog seizure services to East Coventry Township. The police officer
or Animal Control Officer also shall notify the owner, if known, of
any dog sighted running at large in the Township but unable to be
seized and detained.
[Ord. No. 2019-230, 2/11/2019]
Any dog not claimed in accordance with this Part shall be disposed
of in accordance with the Dog Law.
[Ord. No. 2019-230, 2/11/2019]
A dog determined to be dangerous under § 502-A of
the Dog Law, 3 P.S. § 459-502-A, shall be restrained or
otherwise kept in accordance with Article V-A of the Dog Law.
[Ord. No. 2019-230, 2/11/2019]
This Part shall be supplemental to any laws of the Commonwealth,
previously or subsequently adopted, covering dogs within the Commonwealth
and specifically in the Township.
[Ord. No. 2019-230, 2/11/2019]
1.Â
On the first two occasions a dog is seized and/or sighted running
at large, the owner shall pay a fine in the amount of $25 to East
Coventry Township. In addition, the owner of a dog so detained shall
pay all acquisition, boarding and other fees and expenses for dog
seizure and each day or any part thereof that the dog is kept in a
kennel or other structure in an amount as established from time to
time by resolution of the Board of Supervisors or by the contract
of the Animal Control Officer providing seizure and detention services
to the Township.
2.Â
Any person cited for allowing a dog to run at large a third time
within a period of three years in violation of this Part shall, upon
conviction thereof, be sentenced to pay a fine of not more than $1,000
plus costs and the fees and expenses described above and, in default
of payment of said fines, costs, fees and expenses, to a term of imprisonment
not to exceed 30 days.
