[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:
ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICER
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.
EXCESSIVE NOISE
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.
KENNEL
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.
OWNER
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.
PERSON
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.
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.
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.