[Adopted 11-4-1985 by Ord. No. 895 (Ch. II,
Part 4, of the 1962 Code)]
A.
If any household pet bites, scratches or injures any
person or other animal, the Police Department or Animal Control Officer
shall determine if sufficient facts exist to order that the animal
be taken to a veterinarian to be tested for rabies or other infectious
disease.
B.
Any police officer or Animal Control Officer may order
the examination by a veterinarian within five days after written notice
of the same.
A.
A person so ordered to take his animal to the veterinarian
for an examination must, within the aforesaid five days, present a
written statement from the veterinarian to the police officer or the
Animal Control Officer that the animal has been examined and is free
from rabies or other infectious disease.
B.
If a person so ordered to take his animal to the veterinarian
fails to do so within five days and/or fails to obtain written verification
of the disease free status of the animal and present the same to the
police officer or Animal Control Officer within the five-day time
frame, then that party shall be guilty of a summary offense. A summary
offense shall be punishable by a fine up to $300 and/or 90 days in
jail. Any person found guilty of violating an ordinance shall be assessed
court costs and reasonable attorneys’ fees incurred by the Borough
in the enforcement proceedings.
[Amended 4-1-2013 by Ord. No. 1288]
A.
If a party after written notice fails to take his
animal to a veterinarian within five days, a police officer or the
Animal Control Officer may seize and/or confiscate the animal and
take the same to a veterinarian of his choice for the examination
at the expense of the owner.
B.
An owner who has had his animal seized or confiscated
may reclaim the animal upon payment of all costs and expenses within
10 days after being given notice of the same. If the person fails
to make payment within the time frame set forth above, then the animal
shall become the sole property of the Borough of Catasauqua. Written
notice of this forfeiture shall be given to the former owner 10 days
before forfeiture.
