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Borough of Bristol, PA
Bucks County
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Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Code
New Laws (20) Index
[Ord. 1005, 7/14/1986; as amended by Ord. 1265, 9/14/2009; and by Ord. 1278, 2/14/2011]
As used in this Part, the following terms have the meaning indicated, unless a different meaning clearly appears from the context:
CONFINEMENT OF DOGS
The owner or keeper of any dog shall be required to confine their dog within a fenced area, which shall be of sufficient design and material to reasonably confine the dog to the premises. The fenced in area shall be secured by a gate, with lock, and the fenced in area shall be no smaller than six feet by 10 feet. The fenced in area required by this section shall otherwise comply with any applicable zoning requirements, including height and setback requirements.
OWNER
Any person having a right of property in any dog or having custody of any dog, or any person who harbors or permits a dog to remain on or around his or her property.
RUNNING AT LARGE
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.
UNDER REASONABLE CONTROL
When not on the premises of the owner, the owner shall have the dog secured by means of a leash, not to exceed a length of six feet, and of a type sufficient to secure that dog, and shall otherwise keep the dog under reasonable control.
[Ord. 1005, 7/14/1986; as amended by Ord. 1265, 9/14/2009]
1. 
Dogs Running at Large. It shall be unlawful for the owner of any dog or dogs to allow or permit such dog or dogs to run at large in the Borough of Bristol.
2. 
Confinement of Dogs. It shall be unlawful for the owner or keeper of any dog to fail to keep at all times such dog either:
A. 
Confined within the premises of the owner.
B. 
Firmly secured by means of a collar and chain or other device so that it cannot stray beyond the premises on which it is secured.
C. 
Under the reasonable control of some person, or when in lawful hunting, exhibition or field training.
3. 
Dogs residing outside.
[Added by Ord. No. 1329, 4/8/2019]
A. 
It shall be unlawful for any person to leave any dog outside unattended during any period in which a severe weather warning has been issued for Bucks County by the National Weather Service and/or the temperature for a period of time greater than 1/2 hour shall remain entirely either below 32° Fahrenheit (Code Blue) or above 90° Fahrenheit (Code Red).
B. 
"Outside," for purposes of this subsection, shall mean any unattended dog that is outside subject to the weather and elements, which expressly includes, but is not limited to, a dog in a securely fenced-in yard, a dog in a carrier, a dog tethered or tied-out, or a dog in an unattended vehicle. The dog shall be considered outside regardless of access to an outdoor dog house or similar structure, unless such structure meets the following requirements:
(1) 
The structure is in good repair and well maintained.
(2) 
It shall be moisture proof, wind proof, ventilated and in cold-temperature temperatures, it shall maintain the animals body heat.
(3) 
It shall be made of a durable material with a solid, moisture-proof floor raised at least two inches from the ground.
(4) 
It shall have sufficient quantity of suitable clean bedding material consisting of hay, straw or the equivalent to provide insulation and protection from the cold and dampness.
(5) 
Access to clean and unfrozen drinking water must be maintained. This would not include snow or ice as a source.
(6) 
The dog house or similar structure and the surrounding area shall be free from excessive dirt, waste, trash and debris.
(7) 
During Code Blue events, when the weather is below 32° Fahrenheit, dog shelters must also have a windbreak provided at the entrance.
C. 
Should any of the above defined weather conditions be met, and an outdoor dog house type structure not be available, the dog must be brought indoors. Indoors for the purpose of this subsection, shall be defined as any area of the residence which is temperature controlled including the garage or basement as long as the conditioned space is considered to be adequate according to the above temperature thresholds.
D. 
Penalties. Any person(s) who is found to be in violation of this subsection 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/or sheltering 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 subsection may be conducted by any Bristol Borough Law Enforcement Officer, Bristol Borough Animal Control Officer or other representative of Bristol Borough as appointed by the Police Chief, as is lawful.
[Ord. 1005, 7/14/1986]
Any police officer or dog warden may seize any dog found at large in Borough. Such dogs are to be impounded in a licensed kennel.
[Ord. 1005, 7/14/1986]
Owners of licensed dogs are to be notified 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 sold or destroyed in accordance with the 1982 Dog Law.
[Ord. 1005, 7/14/1986]
Unlicensed dogs that are seized are to be held in such kennel for 48 hours and if not claimed may be destroyed in accordance with the 1982 Dog Law.
[Ord. 1005, 7/14/1986]
Dogs that, in the opinion of any police officer or dog warden, constitutes a threat to public health and welfare may be killed by the police or dog warden.
[Ord. 1005, 7/14/1986; as amended by Ord. 1278, 2/14/2011; and by Ord. 1295, 9/9/2013]
1. 
The first time a dog is seized, or the owner otherwise cited under this Part, the owner shall pay a fine of $100 to the Borough of Bristol, as well as reasonable fees for keeping the animal in a kennel. The second time a dog of that owner is seized, or the owner is otherwise cited in this Part, the owner shall pay a fine of $300 to the Borough of Bristol, as well as reasonable fees for keeping the animal in a kennel.
2. 
Any owner allowing an animal to run at large a third time, or otherwise cited under 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 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.