[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Supervisors of the Township of
German as indicated in article histories. Amendments noted where applicable.]
[Adopted 12-17-2001 by Ord. No. 12/17/01]
This article shall hereafter be known and cited as the "Animal Control
Ordinance of the Township of German."
The following terms, when used in the within this article, shall have
the following meanings:
Any person designated as such whose duty it shall be to control animals
within the Township of German, pursuant to the terms hereinafter set forth.
Barking by a dog or the making of other noise by any animal, including
dogs, which although intermittent, is generally continuous and sustained over
a period of 15 minutes or more.
Any establishment, limited to 25 animals, wherein animals are kept
for the purpose of breeding, boarding, sale or show purposes, and which is
so constructed that animals cannot stray therefrom.
When applied to the proprietorship of an animal, shall include every
person having a right of property in such animal, and every person who keeps
or harbors such animal, or has it in his care, and every person who permits
such animal to remain on or about any premises occupied by him.
State and local officers or employees, individuals, corporations,
copartnership's and associations. Singular words shall include the plural.
Masculine words shall include the feminine and neuter.
A.
It shall be the duty of every police officer, or any
person so designated as the Animal Control Officer under this article, to
seize and detain any animal which is found running at large either upon the
public streets or highways, or upon the property of another other than the
owner of such animal, and unaccompanied by the owner or keeper. It shall be
the privilege of every police officer, or animal the owner or keeper. It shall
be the privilege of every police officer, or Animal Control Officer, to kill
any animal which is found running at large and is deemed by the officer, after
due consideration, to constitute a threat to the public health and welfare.
B.
The police officer, peace officer, Constable, Deputy
to the Constable, Code Enforcement Office or Animal Control Officer shall
cause any animal bearing a proper license tag and so seized and detained to
be properly kept and fed, and shall cause immediate notice, either personal
or by certified mail, to be given to the person whose name the license was
procured, or his agent to claim such animal in accordance with the provisions
hereinafter set forth. In the event that an unlicensed animal is seized and
detained, there shall be no obligation hereunder to notify or determine the
owner of said animal, unless the name and address of the owner of the said
animal is property affixed to said animal.
C.
The seized and detained animals may be redeemed by the
owner or his agent for a $15 penalty paid to the Township of German within
10 days of mailing of notice, and upon payment of $10 per day charge, plus
any reasonable costs that are incurred by reason of detention paid to the
facility holding said animal. Adjustments in rates for the detention of an
animal shall be determined, from time to time, by the Township of German by
resolution of the Township Board of Supervisors.
A.
Owners will be responsible for the proper curbing of
their animals, cleanliness of pounds, kennels and yards to prevent any nuisance
or health hazard to adjacent property owners.
B.
No animal shall be allowed to create excessive noise.
Owners will be responsible for any noise disturbance caused by their animal.
It shall be unlawful for the owner or keeper of any female dog to permit
such female dog to go beyond the premises of such owner or keeper at any time
she is in heat, unless such female dog is properly restrained by means of
a collar and leash.
It shall be unlawful for the owner or keeper of any animal to fail to
keep such animal at all times either:
A.
Confined within the premises of the owner and/or keeper.
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 reasonable control of some person, or when engaged
in lawful hunting or field training accompanied by the owner or handler.
D.
Confined within the owner's pasture with the fencing
in good repair.
E.
All grazing, pasture or exercise areas shall be fenced.
A.
The raising, maintenance or breeding of livestock or
poultry (excluding pets such as dogs, cats, rabbits, and the like and excluding
horses for the personal recreational use of the occupants of the principal
home) for private, noncommercial use only of a single-family dwelling is permitted
provided the following requirements are met:
B.
Up to four dogs and/or cats over six months old may be
kept as pets provided that any outside shelter or exercise area is enclosed,
and meets the Pennsylvania State Cruelty Law standards for adequate shelter
and is located in the rear yard area at least 10 feet from any lot line and
not less than 50 feet from any dwelling other than that of the owner.
C.
The keeping of a horse or horses, for private, noncommercial
recreation use only of a single-family dwelling, is permitted provided that
the following requirements are met:
(1)
A lot size of two acres shall be the minimum for the
keeping of one animal; for each additional animal, one additional acre of
lot size will be required.
(2)
No structure used to contain horses or a manure pile
shall be located closer than 100 feet to any property line, nor 200 feet from
any dwelling other than that of the owner.
Any person, firm or corporation who shall violate any provision of this article, 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 less than $25 nor 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. Provided such fine and costs may be in addition to any payments required to be made under § 2-3C on redemption fees.
