[Ord. 656, 4/9/2015]
This Part shall be known and may be cited as the "Dog Control Ordinance."
[Ord. 656, 4/9/2015]
As used in this Part, the following terms shall have the meaning indicated, unless a different meaning clearly appears from the context:
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.
Being upon any public highway, street, alley, park or any other public land, or upon property of another 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.
[Ord. 656, 4/9/2015]
An Animal Control Officer shall be appointed by the Board of Supervisors to serve at its pleasure. Such Animal Control Officer, along with the officers of the Police Department, shall have concurrent responsibility for the enforcement of this Part and of the Dog Law, 3 P.S. 459-101 et seq., as amended; provided, that the Animal Control Officer shall not have the power to make arrests under the Dog Law nor any ordinance of the Township.
[Ord. 656, 4/9/2015]
It shall be unlawful for any owner of a dog to permit or to allow such dog in the Township to:
A.
Be at large.
B.
Engage in habitual howling, barking, crying or whining or conduct itself in such a manner as to unreasonably and habitually annoy any persons.
C.
Cause damage or destruction to any property or create a nuisance by performing its excretory functions upon the premises of a person other than the owner of the dog.
D.
Chase or otherwise harass any person in such a manner as to reasonably cause intimidation or to put such person in reasonable apprehension of bodily harm or injury.
E.
Habitually chase, run aside of or bark at motor vehicles or bicycles.
[Ord. 656, 4/9/2015]
It shall be unlawful for the owner of any dog to allow or permit such dog to run at large in the Township.
[Ord. 656, 4/9/2015]
The Animal Control Officer, any officer of the Police Department or constable may seize any dog found at large in Township. Such dogs are to be impounded in a licensed kennel.
[Ord. 656, 4/9/2015]
Any Animal Control Officer, officer of the Police Department or designated Township employee shall notify the owner of a licensed dog by registered or certified mail, with return receipt, that the dog is impounded and will be disposed of in five days if not claimed. Five days after the return receipt has been received, and the dog has not been claimed, the dog may be disposed of by sale or by giving it to a humane society or association for the prevention of cruelty to animals in accordance with the Dog Law, 3 P.S. § 459-302, as amended.
[Ord. 656, 4/9/2015]
Unlicensed dogs that are seized shall be held at a licensed kennel for 48 hours and if not claimed may be humanely killed or given to the humane society or association for the prevention of cruelty to animals in accordance with the Dog Law, 3 P.S. § 459-302, as amended.
[Ord. 656, 4/9/2015]
1.
A dog determined to be dangerous under § 502-A of the Dog Law, 3 P.S. § 459-502-A, as amended, shall be restrained or otherwise kept in accordance with Article VI-A of the Dog Law, 3 P.S. § 459-501-A et seq., as amended.
2.
Dogs may be killed only in accordance with the requirements of § 501 of the Dog Law, 3 P.S. § 459-501, as amended, and otherwise, said dogs must be detained and delivered to the police or a state dog warden. While detained, said dog must be treated in a humane manner.
[Ord. 656, 4/9/2015]
1.
The first two times a dog is seized, the owner shall pay a fine of $15 to the Township as well as reasonable fees for keeping the animal in a kennel in an amount as established from time to time by resolution of the Board of Supervisors.
2.
Any person allowing a dog to run at large a third time in violation of this Part, or fails to comply therewith, or with any of the requirements thereof, 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 $100 nor more than $1,000 plus costs, including reasonable attorney fees incurred by the Township, and, in default of payment of said fine and costs, to a term of imprisonment to the extent permitted by law for the punishment of summary offenses. A separate offense shall arise for each day or portion thereof in which a violation of this Part is found to exist and for each section of this Part found to have been violated. The Township may also commence appropriate actions in equity or other to prevent, restrain, correct, enjoin, or abate violations of this Part. All fines and penalties collected for violations of this Part shall be paid to the Township Treasurer.