[HISTORY: Adopted by the Township Council
of the Township of Bristol 10-1-1986 by Ord. No. 19-86. Amendments noted where
applicable.]
For the purpose of this chapter, the following
words shall have the following meanings:
All nonhuman vertebrate and invertebrate species, whether
wild or domestic, commonly considered to be part of the wild kingdom.
An animal off the premises of the owner, not secured by a
leash or lead or under the control of a responsible person and obedient
to that person's commands.
Includes any person, firm or corporation having a right of
property in any animal which is kept, harbored or cared for within
the Township of Bristol for a period of three or more days, as well
as every person, firm or corporation occupying any premises within
the Township which permits any animal to remain on or about its premises
for a period of three or more days.
Any type of pigeons, whether wild or domestic, racing or
homing.
For dogs, the Township's facility for the detention and impoundment
of dogs. For other animals, "pound" shall mean any place designated
by the Council, whether within or without the Township limits, for
the detention or impoundment of animals which are seized for a violation
of the provisions of this chapter.
Any area of the Township where the predominant land use is
the residential dwelling of human beings.
Bristol Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania.
That person or persons designated by the Council to enforce
the provisions of this chapter. Included in this definition are the
Animal Control Officer, Code Enforcement Officer, all other police
officers who shall have the same power to act as the Animal Control
Officer, and representatives of the Bucks County Board of Health.
A graduate of a recognized school of veterinary medicine
licensed to practice in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Any animal which has attacked, without cause, a human being
or domestic animal in such a manner as to inflict physical damage
on the human being or domestic animal, or has caused property damage.
Any animal of a species prohibited by Title 50, Code of Federal
Regulations, or otherwise controlled by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
It shall include any animal which is wild, fierce, dangerous, noxious
or naturally inclined to do harm. Wild animals, however domesticated,
shall also include but not be limited to:
Dog family (canine). All except domesticated
dogs, including wolf, fox, coyote, dingo, etc.
Cat family (feline). All except commonly accepted
domestic cats, including lions, pumas, panthers, mountain lions, leopards,
jaguars, ocelots, margays, tigers, wildcats, etc.
Bears (Ursidae). All bears, including grizzly
bears, brown bears, black bears, etc.
Weasels (Mustelidae). All, including weasels,
martens, mink, wolverine, ferrets, badgers, otters, ermine, mongoose,
etc.
Raccoons (Procyonidae). All raccoons and civets.
Primates (Itominidae). All subhuman primates.
Porcupine (Erethizontidae). All porcupines.
Snakes. All venomous and constricting snakes.
Venomous lizards.
Crocodilians. All alligators, caimans, crocodiles,
etc.
Venomous fish and piranha.
Venomous invertebrates.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: The original definition of
"guard or sentry dog," which immediately followed this subsection,
was deleted at 10-20-1992 by Ord. No. 92-17.
No person shall own, keep or harbor within the
Township any dog six months or older unless such animal is licensed
by the County of Bucks and unless such dog wears a collar and a license
tag. This provision is not intended to apply to dogs whose owners
are nonresidents and temporarily in the Township, nor to any Seeing
Eye dog or hearing ear dog properly trained to assist blind persons
or hearing-impaired persons when such dog is actually used by a blind
person or a hearing-impaired person for the purpose of going from
place to place.
A.
Animal trespass. The owner of any animal shall not
permit the same to trespass upon the premises of another property
owner without prior permission or he shall be in violation of this
chapter and shall have the burden of proving permission to trespass
was granted.
B.
Animals at large; leash requirement.
(1)
No animal shall run at large in the Township. All
animals must be kept on a leash. Any person who is the owner or custodian
of an animal found at large in the Township shall be in violation
of this chapter. It shall be unlawful for any owner of an animal to
place such animal or allow it to be placed in the custody of any other
person not physically capable of maintaining effective control of
such animal. This section shall not apply to any person who uses an
animal while engaged in a supervised formal obedience training class
or show or during formally sanctioned field trials.
(2)
No dogs shall be allowed in Township parks except
at places approved for dogs and provided that said dogs shall not
be at large.
(3)
It shall be the duty of the Township official to seize
and detain any animal, licensed or unlicensed, found running at large
either upon the public streets or highways of the Township or on the
property of any other person and unaccompanied by its owner or keeper.
The Township official is hereby authorized and empowered to go on
any public premises and to enter any public building to seize and
detain any animal which has been running at large unaccompanied by
an owner or keeper when such Township official is in immediate pursuit
of such animal.
(4)
All dogs must be kept on a leash when in public. A
person walking the dog must be able to control said animal. A dog's
leash must be of sufficient strength to contain the dog. An animal
leash must not exceed six feet in length.
C.
Animal nuisance. No animal may be allowed to create
a nuisance. "Nuisance," insofar as this chapter is concerned, shall
include but not be limited to loud noises, continuous noise and noise
after nightfall. "Noise" shall include within its definition barking,
baying, yipping and other sounds emitted by the particular animal's
family.
D.
Cleanup of fecal matter.
(1)
No owner of any animal, or any person having the care,
custody or control of any animal, shall permit the same to discharge
or deposit any fecal matter upon the property of another without immediately
removing such matter and disposing of it in a sanitary manner. The
term "property of another" shall include Township and public property.
(2)
No owner or possessor of real property shall permit
animal fecal matter or accumulate on such property for more than 24
hours, and it shall be the owner's or possessor's duty respectively
to daily remove such matter or prevent any such accumulations from
becoming a danger to public health.
A.
Any person who keeps within the Township an animal
which is known by such person to be vicious shall ensure that adequate
protective devices are provided to prevent the animal from escaping
or injuring the public.
B.
An actual attack by such vicious animal upon any person
conducting himself in a lawful manner at the time of such attack,
whether such attack occurs on or off the property of the owner or
custodian of such animal, shall be deemed prima facie evidence that
there was not adequate preventive provisions made and therefore constitutes
a violation of this chapter and requires the surrender of the animal
to the Township official.
C.
Any animal known to be vicious and found running at
large which cannot be safely taken up and impounded may be destroyed
by any police officer.
A.
It shall be the duty of the Township official charged
with the enforcement of this chapter to impound any dog found at large
and not confined to the dog owner's premises. If the owner or custodian
of the animal can be ascertained and located, a summons may be issued
and the animal may, in lieu of impoundment, be released to its owner
or custodian. However, within 72 hours of the animal's release, the
owner must present the Township official with a valid rabies certificate
or surrender the animal to the Township official.
B.
Should it be necessary for a Township official to
seize or pick up a large animal such as a horse, cow or mule or any
other animal not acceptable to an animal shelter or animal hospital,
he is hereby empowered to have such animal removed by a trucking firm
at the animal owner's expense to a farm or stable where such animal
can be housed. If no such place exists within the Township, such animals
may be taken outside the Township limits.
A.
Persons bitten by animals. It shall be the duty of
any person who has knowledge that an animal has bitten or injured
any person in this municipality to immediately report the facts of
the incident and the whereabouts of such animal to the Bucks County
Department of Health.
(1)
The owner of every such animal shall immediately place
said animal in confinement in such a manner as to prevent it from
escaping, running at large or having physical contact with other animals
or humans, other than the animal owner or controller, and maintain
such confinement for a ten-day period of observation.
(2)
At the end of said ten-day observation period the
animal shall be examined by a veterinarian employed by the owner,
and a written report of the results of such examination shall be submitted
by the owner or veterinarian within 24 hours to the Bureau of Health.
If the report reveals no symptoms of rabies, the animal may then be
released.
(3)
If at any time during the said ten-day period of observation
the animal develops symptoms indicative of rabies, such fact shall
be communicated at once to the Bureau of Health, and the animal shall
immediately be removed to a veterinary hospital acceptable to the
Bucks County Board of Health.
(4)
If the animal is diagnosed as rabid, it shall be humanely
euthanatized. Confirmatory tests for the presence of rabies shall
be conducted on the animal's remains as necessary. After such testing,
the remains of the animal shall be disposed of in such a manner as
the Bucks County Board of Health directs.
(5)
If the animal is a stray that cannot be identified,
it shall be the duty of the Township official charged with the enforcement
of this chapter to impound such animal and place it in confinement
for observation, examination or other necessary action normally required
of a private animal owner.
(6)
It shall be the duty of the Bucks County Board of
Health or Bristol Township to notify the victim of an animal bite
of the results of the ten-day observation period and veterinary examination
of the biting animal, in writing, following the receipt of reports
of those results.
B.
Animal bitten by an animal suspected of rabies. It
shall be the duty of any person who has knowledge that an animal in
this municipality has been bitten or otherwise injured by, or been
exposed to or been in contact with, an animal infected with or suspected
of being infected with rabies, to immediately report the facts and
the whereabouts of such animals to the Bucks County Board of Health.
C.
Animals infected with rabies. It shall be the duty
of any person who has knowledge that an animal in Bristol Township
is infected with or suspected of being infected with rabies to immediately
report the facts and the whereabouts of such animals to the Bucks
County Board of Health. Any animal suspected of being infected with
rabies shall immediately be removed to and confined in a veterinary
hospital acceptable to and with the permission of the Bucks County
Board of Health. Any animal infected with rabies shall be disposed
of in such a manner as the Bucks County Board of Health may direct.
D.
Animals dying of rabies. Any person killing an animal
that is rabid or suspected of being rabid, or any person having knowledge
that an animal has died of rabies or is suspected of having died of
rabies, shall report the facts and the whereabouts of the animal to
the Bucks County Board of Health, which will determine the disposition
of the animal's remains.
A.
Notification. The Township official who has seized
an animal under the provisions of the chapter shall see that the same
is properly kept and fed, and if ownership of such animal can be ascertained,
the Township official shall immediately give notice of such seizure
by registered mail to the owner of said animal to claim such animal
within 10 days from the receipt of the notice.
B.
Reclaiming. The owner of the animal so seized and
detained may reclaim the same by:
(1)
Paying all expenses incurred in feeding and boarding
the animal at a prevailing rate established by the Society for the
Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Humane Society or other similar
organization at which the animal is detained;
(3)
Paying any fines levied due to the violation of this
chapter; and
C.
Disposition. Any animal seized and detained by the
Township official which has not been claimed by its owner can be given
to the Humane Society or another similar organization or destroyed
by such Township official in a humane manner.
When in the judgment of the Township official
it is determined at the scene of an accident that an animal is injured
beyond medical help, such animal may be humanely destroyed.
The owner of any animal or fowl which has died
when said owner knows of such death shall forthwith have its body
cremated or buried or otherwise disposed of in a manner acceptable
to the Township official. Should the owner of any dead animal or dead
fowl fail to comply with the provisions of this chapter, after 48
hours of written notice delivered to such owner by the Township official,
said Township official shall be authorized to cause any dead animal
or fowl to be cremated or buried at the expense of said owner.
A.
Minimum standards.
(1)
Feeding. All animals shall be supplied with sufficient
wholesome food and water, free from contamination, which food and
water shall be of sufficient quantity and nutritive value to meet
the normal daily requirements for the condition and size of each animal
and to assure the proper health of each animal.
(2)
Health of animals.
(a)
Proper shelter and protection from the weather
shall be provided at all times to assure that no animal is overcrowded
or exposed to excessive heat or cold. Proper temperature for the well-being
of each animal shall be maintained at all times.
(b)
Adequate exercise shall be provided to assure
the good health of each animal.
(c)
No condition shall be maintained or permitted
to exist that is knowingly injurious to the health of any animal.
(3)
Sanitation and safety.
(a)
There shall be sufficient clean, dry bedding
to meet the needs of each animal. All animals and animal quarters
shall be kept in a clean and sanitary condition and adequate ventilation
shall be maintained.
(b)
Animals shall be maintained in quarters so as
to prevent their escape.
(c)
No kennel or doghouse shall be located within
six feet of any side or rear property line. No cages for racing pigeons
or any type of animal shelter shall be located within six feet of
any property line. No cages or animal shelter shall be situated so
as to be conspicuously visible from the street, but such cages and
animal shelters shall be screened from adjoining residents' view.
(d)
No condition(s) shall be maintained or permitted
to exist that is (are) injurious to the health of any person or in
any way creates a public health hazard nuisance.
(4)
Number of animals.
(a)
The maximum number of animals per household
shall be limited to two animals.
(b)
This number may be increased at the discretion
of the Code Enforcement Officer where, upon application and inspection,
said Officer may issue a permit for any additional animals. An exception
may be granted to a bona fide breeder/hobbyist who otherwise conforms
to the provisions of this chapter and who possesses a valid, current
private kennel, breeding kennel or pet shop/kennel license of any
class under the State Dog Law[1] or is a current member in good standing of any nationally
recognized breeders' association. Other exceptions may be granted
by the Code Enforcement Officer if the uses conform to this chapter
and are consistent with the public health, safety and welfare.
[1]
Editor's Note: See 3 P.S. § 459-101
et seq.
B.
Compliance with minimum standards.
(1)
It shall be unlawful for the owner of any animal housing
to fail to comply with any of the minimum standards set forth in this
chapter.
(2)
The Township official shall have the authority to
inspect the premises of any animal housing at a reasonable time and
in a reasonable manner to assure compliance with the provisions of
this chapter. When permission is refused or cannot be obtained, inspections
shall be conducted upon obtaining a lawfully authorized warrant.
A.
Wild or exotic animals prohibited. No person shall
keep a wild or exotic animal in any place other than a zoological
park, veterinary hospital or clinic, Humane Society, circus, sideshow,
amusement show or facility used for educational or scientific purposes
which provides proper cages, fences and other protective devices adequate
to prevent such animal from escaping or injuring the public.
B.
Sale, adoption, exchange or transfer of wild or exotic
animals prohibited. No person shall sell, offer for sale, adopt, exchange
or transfer, with or without charge, any wild or exotic animal. This
section is not intended to apply to persons owning or possessing wild
or exotic animals prior to the passage of this chapter, provided that
the person or persons taking possession of such wild or exotic animal
following said sale, adoption, exchange or transfer is/are not a resident(s)
of Bristol Township.
C.
Keeping farm animals prohibited. It shall be unlawful for any person to keep or maintain any cattle, swine, sheep, goats or fowl in the Township except at such places as are zoned and designated as proper for such animals, subject to the prior approval of the Township official. This section shall not be deemed to prohibit the keeping or maintaining of horses within a residentially zoned district, provided that the owner complies with the provisions of § 57-10 of this chapter.
D.
Disposition and impoundment. Any person who keeps
a wild or exotic animal or prohibited farm animal in contravention
of this chapter may dispose of the animal by removal of the animal
from the Township or by giving the animal to the Township official.
The Township official is authorized to release the animal to the wild,
to a zoological park, or to dispose of the animal in some humane manner.
E.
Permitting wild or exotic animals owned at the time
of passage of this chapter. Any person owning or possessing a wild
or exotic animal at the time of enactment of this chapter may, pending
the approval of the Township official, obtain a permit for said wild
or exotic animal, provided that:
(2)
The plan and facilities for the housing and containment
of said wild or exotic animal must be reviewed, inspected and approved
by the Township official as adequate to prevent such animal from escaping
or injuring the public. (Any changes to containment plans or facilities
already permitted must be submitted to and approved by the Township
official before such changes may be implemented.)
(3)
An annual permit fee, as shall be set from time to
time by resolution or ordinance of the Township Council,[1] for each wild or exotic animal shall be paid by the owner
or possessor of such animal to the Township of Bristol.
[Amended 10-20-1992 by Ord. No. 92-17]
(4)
Upon the death, sale, adoption, exchange, transfer
or disposal of said wild or exotic animal, the animal may not be replaced.
The Township official, with the Council's approval,
may promulgate such written rules and regulations as may be reasonably
necessary for the administration of the provisions of this chapter.
Any person interfering with the Animal Control
Officer, any police officer or any health officer in the enforcement
of this chapter shall be guilty of a violation of this chapter.
Any person who shall cut or attempt to cut the
leash of any animal from the possession and custody of the Animal
Control Officer, any police officer or any health officer of the Township
shall be guilty of a violation of the chapter.
A.
It shall be unlawful for any persons:
(1)
To overdrive, overload, overwork, torture, beat, mutilate,
kill needlessly, carry in a vehicle in an inhumane manner or otherwise
mistreat any animal.
(2)
To fail to provide any pet or animal with proper food,
drink, protection from the weather and veterinary care.
(3)
To abandon any pet or animal.
(4)
To intentionally poison any pet or animal.
(5)
To allow or promote any fight between animals or to
allow or permit any such fight in or upon any premises in his possession
or under his/her control.
B.
In the event the Township official or other authorized
agency finds animals in neglected or suffering conditions, it shall
have the right forthwith to remove or cause to be removed any such
animals to a safe place for care at the owner's expense, provided
that the owner is property notified. Return to the owner shall not
be permitted until the owner has made full payment for expenses incurred.
Said payment shall not be considered in lieu of criminal charges which
may be filed.
[Amended 10-20-1992 by Ord. No. 92-17]
Except as may be otherwise provided in 3 P.S.
§ 459-101 et seq., any person, firm or corporation who shall
fail, neglect or refuse to comply with any of the terms or provisions
of this chapter or of any regulation or requirement pursuant hereto
and authorized hereby shall, upon conviction thereof, be ordered to
pay a fine of not more than $600, plus court costs, and, in default
of payment of fine and costs, shall be imprisoned not more than 30
days. Each day's violation shall constitute a separate offense.
If any provision, section, paragraph, clause,
sentence or word of this chapter conflicts with or is covered by any
provisions of the Pennsylvania Dog Law, 3 P.S. § 459-101
et seq., then the state law shall be deemed controlling.
