The purpose of this article is to protect the health, safety
and welfare of the people of the Township by regulating and controlling
the keeping of animals in the Township. Due to increased building
development and growing population, the keeping of animals in the
Township has been creating and may create in the future substantial
interference with the exercise of the rights of the public and the
enjoyment of property by private persons. Improper keeping of animals
may create a hazard to the health, welfare and safety of the public
for the reason that such animals attract, harbor and foster the breeding
of flies, insects and rodents and the germination of bacteria and
other infectious microbes, all of which may cause diseases. The keeping
of animals may create foul and noxious odors as well as disturbing
noises that interfere with the enjoyment of public rights.
Animals in the Township shall be classified as follows:
A. Class I: A carnivorous animal of moderate to large size, usually
found in a wild state, an undomesticated mammal or reptile of large
size.
B. Class II: A horse, pony, donkey or any other animal of the same biological
order.
C. Class III: A cow, sheep, goat, pig or any other animal of the same
biological orders.
D. Class IV: Fowl, including but not limited to chickens, hens, ducks,
turkeys, cocks, pheasants or barnyard-type birds raised for meat or
otherwise.
E. Class V: Pigeons, rabbits, mink and other animals which when raised
are normally kept outdoors in cages raised off ground level.
Domestic cats, domestic dogs, canaries, parakeets, parrots,
hamsters, guinea pigs, gerbils, monkeys and other domesticated animals
usually kept within the confines of a dwelling house are specifically
excluded from the operation of this article.
For the purpose of this article, the following terms shall have
the meanings indicated:
CORRAL
The fenced in or enclosed area contiguous to a stable used
primarily for the purpose of housing, feeding and grooming an animal
or animals of Class II or Class III. A corral shall not include any
additional area or areas fenced in or enclosed and used primarily
for the grazing of such animals.
LOT
A parcel or area of land, under common ownership, the dimensions
and extent of which are established by the latest approved map of
a subdivision of which the land is part or as otherwise permitted
by law.
STABLE
Structure on a lot qualifying for the housing of an animal
or animals of Class II or III.
In accordance with the purposes set forth in §
95-1, a violation of §§
95-4 through
95-6 of this article shall be deemed to constitute a condition that will endanger the health, safety and welfare of the public and is declared to be a public nuisance. Such a nuisance shall be subject to abatement at the expense of the property owner.
Upon the written request of any person keeping or proposing
to keep an animal or animals of Class II, Class III or Class IV in
the Township, accompanied by a check or money order in the amount
of $5 made payable to the Township, the Township building official
shall inspect the property of such person to determine whether the
lot on which such animal or animals are kept, or proposed to be kept,
complies with the provisions of this article and shall issue a certification
of his/her findings.
Nothing contained in this article shall prohibit the presence
of a domesticated animal in or upon public or private property while
in the presence and full control of its owner or person in possession
thereof.