[Adopted 2-22-1999]
It shall be unlawful for any person knowingly to keep or harbor any dog which habitually barks, howls or yelps to the great discomfort of the peace and quiet of the neighborhood, or in such manner as to materially disturb or annoy persons in the neighborhood who are of ordinary sensibilities.
A. 
Whenever any person shall complain to the Police Department that a dog which habitually barks, howls or yelps is being kept by any person in the Township, the Police Department shall notify the owner of said dog that a complaint has been received and that the person should take whatever steps necessary to alleviate the howling, yelping or crying.
B. 
If the warning given to the person alleged to be keeping a dog as set forth in Subsection A above is ineffective, then a verified complaint of at least two citizens not from the same family may be presented to the Police Department, alleging that a vicious dog or a dog which habitually barks, howls or yelps is being kept by any person within the Township. The Police Department shall inform the owner of such dog that said petition has been received and shall cite the owner of the dog for the violation alleged in said petition.
Provisions of this article regulating dogs which habitually bark, howl or yelp shall not apply to on-duty "service dogs" as defined in 3 P.S. § 459-102.
[1]
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I).
Any person, firm or corporation violating any of the provisions of this article shall, upon being found liable therefor in a civil enforcement proceeding commenced by the Township before a District Justice, pay a fine of not less than $35 nor more than $600, plus all court costs, including reasonable attorney's fees, incurred by the Township in the enforcement of this article. No judgment shall be imposed until the date of the determination of the violation by the District Justice. If the defendant neither pays nor timely appeals the judgment, the Township may enforce the judgment pursuant to the applicable Rules of Civil Procedure. Each day a violation exists shall constitute a separate offense. Further, the appropriate officers or agents of the Township are hereby authorized to seek equitable relief, including injunction, to enforce compliance herewith.
[1]
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I).