Borough of Ephrata, PA Article III Dogs at Large

[Adopted 10-14-1996 by Ord. No. 1290]

§ 123-9 Dogs running at large.

It shall be unlawful for the owner, custodian or keeper of any dog to allow such dog to run at large at any time, either upon any of the streets, alleys or public grounds in the Borough of Ephrata or upon the property of anyone other than the owner, custodian or keeper of such dog.

§ 123-10 Duty to confine dogs.

It shall be the duty of the owner, custodian or keeper of any dog and the duty of the parent or guardian of any minor owner of any dog to keep the dog securely tied or penned in an enclosure in such a manner that the dog cannot break loose and run at large over the streets, alleys or public grounds in the Borough of Ephrata or upon the property of anyone other than the owner, custodian or keeper of such dog.

§ 123-11 Control of dog in public and on property of others.

It shall be the duty of the owner, custodian or keeper of any dog, while traveling on the streets, alleys or public grounds in the Borough of Ephrata, to have the dog on a leash at all times, to prevent the dog from entering upon the property of any person or persons in the Borough of Ephrata without the property owner's consent and to prevent the dog from littering upon the property of any person or persons.

§ 123-12 Sheltering and maintenance of dogs.

It shall be unlawful for any person or persons, corporation, partnership or other entity whatsoever to harbor, care for, shelter or maintain any breed of dog or dogs in such a manner as to disturb or unduly annoy the public through the dogs' noise, barking, smell, mischief or other harmful propensities. All dog pens or other areas in which dogs are kept shall be maintained in a sanitary condition free of offensive, obnoxious or foul odors.

§ 123-13 Impoundment; notice; time period for redemption; disposition of unclaimed dogs.

Any peace officer or individual duly appointed by the Council of the Borough of Ephrata is hereby authorized to seize and impound any dog found running at large unattended in the Borough of Ephrata at a place to be designated by the Council of the Borough of Ephrata as a pound. Notice of such seizure shall be sent to the owner of such dog in the manner prescribed by law, and such dog may be redeemed by the owner thereof within 10 days from the giving of such notice. If the dog has not been claimed within the ten-day period, the peace officer or appointed person may dispose of such dog by sale or by destruction in some humane manner, but no dog so caught and detained shall be sold for the purpose of vivisection.

§ 123-14 Violations and penalties.

Any person or persons, corporation, partnership or other entity whatsoever violating any of the provisions of this article shall, upon conviction thereof, be subject to a fine of not more than $600 for each offense, together with the costs of prosecution, and in default of payment thereof, shall be imprisoned for a term not to exceed 30 days. Each day's continuance of the offense following notice thereof shall constitute a new violation.