[Adopted 5-4-1953]
It shall be unlawful for any person having a right of property
in a dog or who keeps or harbors a dog or has it in his care or permits
such dog to remain on or about any premises occupied by him to permit
such dog to run at large, either upon the public streets or highways
of the commonwealth or upon the property of other than the owner of
such dogs, unaccompanied by the owner or other responsible person.
It shall be the duty of every police officer to take possession
of any dog running at large upon the public streets or upon the property
of any person other than the owner when unaccompanied by the owner
or other person in charge. If such dog shall be found to have a license
tag upon it in compliance with the laws of this commonwealth, then
the officer shall comply with the law of this commonwealth in regard
to notice, custody and disposition of the dog and shall collect the
charges provided therefor.
[Amended 10-1-2012 by Ord. No. 2012-3]
If such dog shall not be licensed in accordance with the laws
of this commonwealth, the officer shall give notice to the owner or
person responsible for the dog, if he can be found, and if the owner
shall procure a license for the dog and pay the costs of detention
and care of said dog at the rate of $10 per day, the dog shall be
delivered to him.
[Amended 10-1-2012 by Ord. No. 2012-3]
If no owner can be found, the Chief of Police shall, in his
discretion, cause the dog to be taken to the Bradford County Human
Society or other such establishment, but no such dog shall be delivered
to any person until they have procured a license for the animal.
[Amended 10-1-2012 by Ord. No. 2012-3]
In addition to the foregoing provisions, any person responsible
for keeping or harboring a dog in accordance with the provisions of
this article may be brought before the Mayor or any Magisterial District
Judge in and for the Borough of Towanda on such a charge and, if found
guilty, shall be sentenced to pay a fine of $10 and costs for the
first offense, and for any subsequent offense occurring within one
calendar year shall be sentenced to pay a fine of not less than $25
nor more than $600 and costs, or shall undergo imprisonment in the
county jail for up to 30 days.
The Mayor may, on showing of unusual hardship or mitigating
circumstances, remit said fine or punishment.
