Borough of Lititz, PA Chapter 46 Dogs and Other Animals

[HISTORY: Adopted by the Council of the Borough of Lititz 12-30-2003 by Ord. No. C-453, approved 12-30-2003[1]. Amendments noted where applicable.]

[1] Editor's Note: This ordinance also repealed former Ch. 46, Dogs and Other Animals, which consisted of the following: Art. I, Dogs, adopted 10-29-1974 by Ord. No. C-159, approved 10-29-1974; and Art. II, Animals at Large, adopted and approved 8-17-1961 as part of Ord. No. C-1, which ordinance adopted the prior codification of the Borough of Lititz.

Article I Dogs

§ 46-1 Dogs restricted from 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 Lititz or upon the property of anyone other than the owner, custodian or keeper of such dog.

§ 46-2 Owner's responsibility at home.

It shall be the duly 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 Lititz or upon the property of anyone other than the owner, custodian or keeper of such dog.

§ 46-3 Owner's responsibility in public.

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 Lititz, to have the dog on a leash at all times and to prevent the dog from entering upon the property of any person in the Borough of Lititz without the property owner's consent.

§ 46-4 Public annoyance; maintenance of pens in sanitary condition.

It shall be unlawful for any person, 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 dog's 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.

§ 46-5 Apprehension of dogs; notice of seizure; redemption by owner.

It shall be the duty of any police officer of the Borough of Lititz who witnesses any dog running at large in conflict with the provisions of or who receives information of any dog so running at large to seize such dog and to convey it to the place designated by the Borough Council 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 the time specified by law, upon payment of the charges incurred by reason of such detention. Rates for such charge shall be determined from time to time by the Borough Council.

§ 46-6 Dog defecation on public and private property restricted and disposal required.

Any person having ownership, possession, custody or control of any dog which commits a nuisance (i.e., defecation) in any area other than the private property of the owner of such dog shall be required to immediately remove any and all feces from the ground surface and to place it in a nonleaking container or bag and to properly dispose of the container or bag in a trash or litter receptacle.

§ 46-7 Violations and penalties.

Any person, corporation, partnership or other entity whatsoever violating any of the provisions of this article shall, upon conviction thereof by summary proceedings, be sentenced to pay a fine not to exceed $300 for any single violation of this article, together with the costs of prosecution. Each day's continuance of the offense following notice thereof shall constitute a new violation. Upon default of payment of the fine imposed and the costs, the defendant shall be imprisoned in the Lancaster County Prison for a period not exceeding 30 days; provided, however, that if the District Justice determines that the defendant is without the financial means to pay the fines and cost immediately or in a single remittance, such defendant shall be permitted to pay the fines or costs in installments and over such periods of time as the District Justice deems to be just.

Article II Animals at Large

§ 46-8 Animals restricted from running at large.

No horses, cattle, sheep, swine or any other animals are permitted to run at large unless someone has charge of them, keeping them off the railroad, pavements and footwalks or from doing any damage whatsoever within the limits of the borough.

§ 46-9 Violations and penalties.

Any person or persons, corporation, partnership or other entity whatsoever violating any of the provisions of this article shall, upon conviction, be sentenced to pay a fine not to exceed the maximum fine of $300, plus costs of prosecution, and in default of payment of such costs and prosecution, imprisonment for a term not exceeding 30 days; provided, however, that if the District Justice determines that the defendant is without the financial means to pay the fines and costs immediately or in a single remittance, such defendant shall be permitted to pay the fines or costs in installments and over such periods of time as the District Justice deems to be just.