As used in this article, the following terms
shall have the meanings indicated, unless a different meaning clearly
appears from the context:
OWNER
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.
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.
An Animal Control Officer shall be appointed
by the Board of Supervisors to serve at the pleasure of the Board.
Such Animal Control Officer along with the police officers shall have
concurrent responsibility for the enforcement of this article and
of the Dog Law, 3 P.S. § 459-101 et seq., 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 Township.
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
Township.
The Animal Control Officer or any police officer
or constable may seize any dog found at large in the Township. Such
dogs are to be impounded in a licensed kennel.
The Animal Control Officer, or authorized animal
shelter representative, shall notify the owner of a licensed dog by
registered or certified mail, with return receipt, that the dog is
impounded and will be handled in accordance with the Dog Law, 3 P.S.
§ 459-302. The owner of the licensed dog shall be responsible
for all costs associated with the impounding and maintenance of said
dog.
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 Dog Law, 3 P.S. § 459-303. The owner of the unlicensed dog shall be responsible for
all costs associated with the impounding and maintenance of said dog.
Any person, firm or corporation who shall violate
any provisions of this article, upon conviction thereof in an action
brought before a district justice 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 article continues
or each section of this article which shall be found to have been
violated shall constitute a separate offense.