[Adopted 1-7-1992 by Ord.
No. 92-1 (Ch. 2, Part 1, of the 1992 Code of Ordinances)]
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated, unless a different meaning clearly appears from
the context:
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.
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, by leash
or other similar restraint device, of the owner or any other person
having custody of said dog.
[Amended 8-6-1996 by Ord.
No. 96-5]
A dog warden shall be appointed by the Borough Council to serve
during its pleasure. Such dog warden along with the police officers
shall have concurrent responsibility for the enforcement of this article
and of the Dog Law of 1982, (3 P.S. § 459-101 et seq., as
hereafter amended, supplemented, modified or reenacted by the General
Assembly of Pennsylvania); provided, that he shall not have the power
to make arrests under this Act of Assembly or any other Act of Assembly
or ordinance of the Borough.
[Amended 11-14-2007 by Ord. No. 2007-20]
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.
A.
The owner or keeper of any dog shall at all times keep such dog confined
within the premises of the owner in an enclosure from which it cannot
escape;
B.
The owner or keeper of any dog shall at all times keep such dog firmly
secured by means of a collar and chain device so that it cannot stray
beyond the premises on which it is secured;
C.
When off the owner's premises, the owner or keeper of any dog shall
keep the dog or dogs on a leash not exceeding six feet in length and
in the hands of a competent person fully able to control the dog.
The dog warden or any police officer or constable may seize
any dog found at large in the Borough. Such dogs are to be impounded
in a licensed kennel.
The Chief of Police shall notify the owner of a licensed dog
by registered or certified mail, with return receipt, and by telephone,
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 shall 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 dog warden,
constitute a threat to public health and welfare may be killed by
the police or dog warden.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General
Provisions, Art. I)]
The first two times a dog is seized, the owner shall pay a fine
of $50 to the Borough as well as reasonable fees for keeping the animal
in a kennel as fixed pursuant to a resolution of the Borough Council.
Any person allowing a dog to run at large a third time in violation
of this article shall, upon conviction thereof, be sentenced to pay
a fine of not more than $600, plus court costs and reasonable attorneys'
fees incurred by the Borough in the enforcement proceedings. If the
penalty is not paid, the Borough shall initiate a civil action for
collection in accordance with the Pennsylvania Rules of Civil Procedure.
[Added 11-14-2007 by Ord.
No. 2007-20]
It shall be unlawful to keep more than four dogs six months
of age or older on any premises, regardless of the number of owners;
provided, however, that this section shall not apply to any premises
for which a kennel license has been obtained pursuant to the Dog Law
of 1965 (3 P.S. § 460-208 et seq.)[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: The Dog Law of 1965 (formerly 3 P.S. § 460-101
et seq.) was repealed 12-7-1982 by P.L. 784, No. 225; see now 3 P.S.
§ 459-101 et seq.
