As used in this article, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
OWNER
When applied herein to the proprietorship of a dog, includes
every person having a right of property in such dog, 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.
It shall be unlawful for the owner of any dog to permit it to
run at large, to cause annoyance to persons or damage to persons or
property, to trespass upon, litter or deface any premises, pavement,
public highway or park in the Borough. Failure of any such owner properly
to curb and restrain his dog shall subject the owner to penalties
provided by this article.
It shall be the duty of every police officer, special officer,
animal control officer or agent designated by the Borough to seize
and detain any dog causing annoyance or damage by running at large.
Such police officer, special officer, animal control officer or agent
is hereby authorized to go upon any premises and enter any building
to seize and detain any such dog which has entered such premises or
building when such police officer, special officer, animal control
officer or agent is in immediate pursuit.
The owner or keeper of any dog shall at all times keep such
dog either:
A. Confined within the premises of the owner in an enclosure from which
it cannot escape;
B. Firmly secured by means of a collar and chain device so that it cannot
stray beyond the premises on which it is secured; or
C. When off the owner's premises, on a leash not exceeding six feet
in length and in the hands of a competent person fully able to control
the dog.
It shall be unlawful for the owner of a dog to allow the dog
to bark, howl or make other noise for continuing periods of time to
the annoyance and discomfort of other persons in the Borough of Lansdowne.
Every owner or possessor of real property in the Borough of
Lansdowne shall prevent or remove any and all accumulations of animal
waste, feces or excretions on such property if such accumulations
create obnoxious odors outside the property or unhealthy conditions.
[Amended 6-16-1999 by Ord. No. 1155]
Acting under the jurisdiction and control of the Chief of Police
of the Borough of Lansdowne, the Borough police officers, animal control
officer and any special officers appointed by Borough Council of the
Borough of Lansdowne shall enforce and administer this article.
The provisions of this article hereof do not apply to a guide
dog accompanying a blind person, a dog used to assist any other physically
handicapped person or to an animal used in police or fire activities
of the Borough.
[Amended 9-21-1988 by Ord. No. 1080; 9-19-1990 by Ord. No. 1099]
Any person who shall violate any provision of this article shall:
A. Upon the first violation, receive a written notice and warning from
the Borough Police Officer, animal control officer or other agent
designated by the Borough.
B. Upon a second violation committed within a period of six months after
the violation and upon conviction of such second violation in a proceeding
before a Magisterial District Judge, be sentenced to pay a fine of
not more than $50, plus costs of prosecution, and, in default of payment
of fine and costs, shall be sentenced to imprisonment for not more
than 30 days.
C. Upon a third violation committed within a period of six months after
the second violation and upon conviction of such third violation in
a proceeding before a Magisterial District Judge, be sentenced to
pay a fine of not more than $100, plus costs of prosecution, and,
in default of payment of fine and costs, shall be sentenced to imprisonment
for not more than 30 days.
D. After the third violation, upon any subsequent violation committed
within a period of six months after the previous violation and upon
conviction of such subsequent violation in a proceeding before a Magisterial
District Judge, be sentenced to pay a fine of not more than $600,
plus costs of prosecution, and, in default of payment of fine and
costs, shall be sentenced to imprisonment for not more than 30 days.
[Amended 6-16-1999 by Ord. No. 1155]