As used in this article, the following terms have the meaning
indicated, unless a different meaning clearly appears from the context:
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.
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 Royersford.
Any police officer or Animal Control Officer may seize any dog
found at large in Borough of Royersford. Such dogs are to be impounded
in a licensed kennel.
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.
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.
Dogs that, in the opinion of any police officer or Animal Control
Officer, constitutes a threat to public health and welfare, may be
killed by the police or Animal Control Officer.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General
Provisions, Art. I)]
A. The first two times a dog is seized, the owner shall pay a fine of
$100 to the Borough of Royersford as well as reasonable fees for keeping
the animal in a kennel.
B. Any person allowing an animal to run at large a third time in violation
of this article shall, upon conviction in a summary proceeding under
the Pennsylvania Rules of Criminal Procedure, be guilty of a summary
offense and shall be punishable by a fine of not more than $1,000,
plus court costs and reasonable attorneys' fees incurred by the Borough
in the enforcement proceedings. Upon judgment against any person by
summary conviction, or by proceedings by summons on default of the
payment of the fine or penalty imposed and the costs, the defendant
may be sentenced and committed to the county correctional facility
for a period not exceeding 30 days. Each day that such violation exists
shall constitute a separate offense, and each section of this article
that is violated shall also constitute a separate offense. In addition
to or in lieu of enforcement under this section, the Borough may enforce
this article in equity in the Court of Common Pleas of Montgomery
County.