[Ord. 06-2013-583, 6/13/2013, § 601]
1. Confinement and Control. It shall be unlawful for the owner or keeper
of any dog to fail to keep at all times the dog in any of the following
manners:
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 engaged in lawful
hunting, exhibition, performance events or field training.
2. Housing. It shall be unlawful for the owner or keeper of a dog to
house the dog for any period of time in a drum, barrel, refrigerator,
or freezer regardless of the material of which the drum, barrel, refrigerator
or freezer is constructed.
[Ord. 06-2013-583, 6/13/2013, § 602]
It shall be unlawful for the owner or custodian of any dog or
cat to keep, harbor or have in his, her or its custody or control
within the Township any dog or cat three months or older unless such
dog or cat has a current vaccination against rabies with a vaccine
as approved by the National Association of State Public Health Veterinarians.
Proof of vaccination shall be furnished at the request of the Township.
[Ord. 06-2013-583, 6/13/2013, § 603]
It shall be the duty of the owner or custodian of any dog, cat
or other animal who has knowledge of the fact that said dog, cat or
other animal has bitten or injured any person, as well as the duty
of the person so bitten or injured, to immediately report the facts
of the incident and the whereabouts of such animal to the Township.
[Ord. 06-2013-583, 6/13/2013, § 604]
1. Upon any dog, cat or other animal biting or injuring any person:
A. The owner or custodian of every such animal shall immediately place
said animal in confinement in such a manner as to prevent it from
escaping, running at large or having physical contact with other animals
or humans, other than the animal's owner or custodian, and shall
maintain such confinement for an observation period of 10 days.
B. At the end of said ten-day observation period, the animal shall be
examined by a veterinarian employed by the owner or custodian, and
a written report from the veterinarian of the results of such examination
shall be submitted by the owner or custodian within 24 hours to the
Township. If the report reveals no symptoms of rabies, the animal
may then be released. If the owner or custodian fails or refuses to
have the animal examined for rabies by a veterinarian within 24 hours
of the end of the ten-day observation period, the Township shall be
authorized to have the animal seized and taken to a veterinarian solely
for the purpose of said rabies examination. The owner or custodian
shall be responsible for all expenses incurred for said examination;
and failure to pay the same to the Township within five days of receipt
of an itemized statement of said examination shall constitute a separate
violation of this Part.
C. If, at any time during the said ten-day period of observation, the
animal develops symptoms indicative of rabies, such fact shall be
communicated at once to the Township, and the animal shall immediately
be removed to a veterinary hospital acceptable to the Township.
D. If the animal is diagnosed as rabid, it shall be humanely euthanized.
Confirmatory tests for the presence of rabies shall be conducted on
the animal's remains as necessary. After such testing, the remains
of the animal shall be disposed of in such manner as the Township
may direct after consultation, with the owner or custodian of the
animal.
E. If the animal is a stray that cannot be identified, it shall be the
duty of the Township to impound such animal and place it in confinement
for observation, examination or other necessary action normally required
of a private animal owner as specified in this section.
F. It shall be the duty of the Township to notify, in writing, the victim
of an animal bite of the results of the ten-day observation period
and veterinary examination of the biting animal following the receipt
of reports of those results.
G. Any cost to the victim for medical treatment resulting from an attacking
or biting dog must be paid fully by the owner or keeper of the dog.
The Township shall not be liable for medical treatment costs to the
victim.
[Ord. 06-2013-583, 6/13/2013, § 605]
1. All dogs are hereby declared to be personal property and subjects
of theft.
2. It shall be unlawful for a person to place any poison or harmful
substance of any description in any place, on his own premises or
elsewhere, where it may be easily found and eaten by dogs. Anyone
convicted of violating this subsection commits a summary offense.
A. It shall be unlawful for any person to place any poison or harmful
substance of any description in any place, on his own premises or
elsewhere with the intent that the poison or substance be eaten by
dogs. Anyone convicted of violating this subsection commits a misdemeanor
of the second degree and shall be sentenced to pay a fine of not less
than $1,000, or more than $2,000 or to imprisonment for not more than
two years, or both. A subsequent conviction under this subsection
shall constitute a felony of the third degree.
3. It shall be unlawful for any person to abandon or attempt to abandon
any dog within the commonwealth. Anyone convicted of abandoning or
attempting to abandon any dog within the commonwealth shall pay a
fine of not less than $300 and not more than $1,000 plus costs.
A. Any animal placed in the custody of a licensed doctor of veterinary
medicine for treatment, boarding or other care, or placed in the custody
of a licensed boarding kennel for board or other care, which shall
be abandoned by its owner or his representative for a period of more
than 10 days after written notice by personal service or registered
mail, return receipt requested, is given to the owner or his representative
at his last known address and return receipt is received by the doctor
or the licensed boarding kennel, may be turned over to the custody
of the nearest humane society or association for the prevention of
cruelty to animals or dog pound in the area. After 48 hours of receipt,
such custodian may humanely kill such animal or place it for adoption.
During such forty-eight-hour period, the animal may be released only
to the owner or his representative. If the owner claims the animal,
he shall be liable for room and board charges for the animal during
the abandonment period.
[Ord. 06-2013-583, 6/13/2013, § 606]
Except as herein and hereby supplemented or amended, Chapter
2, including the penalties for violation thereof, which penalties shall also be applicable to the provisions of this amendatory ordinance, shall remain in full force and effect according to its original terms and provisions.