[Ord. 114, 1/21/1991, § 400]
It shall be unlawful for any person knowingly to keep or harbor
any dog which habitually barks, howls, or yelps or any cat which habitually
cries or howls to the great discomfort of the peace and quiet of the
neighborhood, or in such manner as to materially disturb or annoy
persons in the neighborhood who are of ordinary sensibilities. Such
dogs and cats are hereby declared to be a public nuisance.
[Ord. 114, 1/21/1991, § 400]
1.
Whenever any person shall complain to the Police Department that
a dog which habitually barks, howls, or yelps or a cat which habitually
cries or howls is being kept by any person in the Township, the Police
Department shall notify the owner of said dog or cat that a complaint
has been received and that the person should take whatever steps necessary
to alleviate the howling, yelping, or crying.
2.
If the warning given to the person alleged to be keeping a dog or cat as set forth in Subsection 1 above is ineffective, then a verified complaint of at least two citizens not from the same family may be presented to the Police Department, alleging that a vicious dog or a dog which habitually barks, howls, or yelps, or a cat which habitually cries or howls is being kept by any person within the Township. The Police Department shall inform the owner of such dog or cat that said petition has been received and shall cite the owner of the dog or cat for the violation alleged in said petition.
[Ord. 114, 1/21/1991, § 400]
1.
It shall be unlawful for any person owning or possessing any dog
to permit the same to run at large. For the purpose of this Part,
"running at large" shall be defined to be the presence of a dog at
any place except upon the premises of the owner, or upon the premises
of another with the consent of the owner of such premises. A dog shall
not be considered to be running at large if it is on a leash or under
control of a person physically able to control it.
2.
It shall be the responsibility of the Code Enforcement Officer to
notify any person owning or possessing any dog which is running at
large that they are in violation of this Part and subject to the penalties
described herein.
[Ord. 114, 1/21/1991, § 400]
1.
Keeping of Vicious Animals.
A.
It shall be unlawful for any person to keep or permit to be kept
on his premises any vicious animal as a pet or for display or for
exhibition purposes, whether gratuitously or for a fee.
B.
It shall be unlawful for any person to harbor or keep a vicious animal
within the Township. Any animal which is found off the premises of
its owner may be seized by any police officer or humane officer; provided
however, that this Part shall not apply to animals under the control
of a law enforcement or military agency, nor to animals which are
kept for the protection of property, provided that such animals are
restrained by a leash or chain, cage, fence, or other adequate means,
from contact with the general public or with persons who enter the
premises with the actual or implied permission of the owner or occupant.
C.
Vicious animal. Any animal which has previously attacked or bitten
any person or which has behaved in such a manner that a person who
harbors said animal knows or should reasonably know that the animal
is possessed of tendencies to attack or bite persons.
[Ord. 114, 1/21/1991, § 400]
Provisions of this Part relating to dogs which habitually bark,
howl or yelp shall not apply to a "seeing eye dog" which is used to
assist a person who is identified as "legally blind."
[Ord. 114, 1/21/1991, § 400; as amended by Ord.
266, 9/17/2007]
Any person, firm, or corporation who shall violate any provision
of this Part, upon conviction thereof in an action brought before
a magisterial district judge in the manner provided for the enforcement
of summary offenses under the Pennsylvania Rules of Criminal Procedure,
shall be sentenced to pay a fine of not less than $35 nor more than
$1,000 plus costs and, in default of payment of said fine and costs,
to a term of imprisonment not to exceed 90 days. Each day that a violation
of this Part continues or each section of this Part which shall be
found to have been violated shall constitute a separate offense.
