[Adopted 4-7-2015 by Ord. No. 15-08]
It shall be unlawful for any person to tether, fasten, chain, tie, restrain or cause an unattended dog to be fastened, chained, tied or restrained to houses, trees, fences, garages, stakes or other stationary or highly immobile objects by means of a rope, chain, strap or other physical restraint for the purpose of confinement, except in circumstances where all of the following requirements are satisfied:
A. 
The tethering is not for a longer period of time than necessary for the dog owner or custodian to complete a temporary task that requires the dog to be physically restrained for a reasonable period of time; and
B. 
The tether is attached to the dog by a nonchoke-type collar and attached to the stationary object by swivel anchors, latches, or similar devices in a manner which prevents the tether from becoming entangled around any object so as to limit the dog's freedom within the tethered area, or to prevent the dog, or any of its appendages, from becoming entangled by the tether.
(1) 
The chain or tether shall not weigh more than 1/8 of the dog's body weight.
(2) 
No dog under the age of six months shall be tethered outside for any length of time;
C. 
The dog has easy access to clean drinking water and adequate shade and/or shelter within the tethered area; and
D. 
The dog is periodically monitored while tethered for the aforementioned reasonable period of time; and
E. 
The dog is not tethered outdoors during any period in which a severe weather warning has been issued for Camden County by the National Weather Service; and
F. 
The dog is not tethered outdoors for a continuous period of time greater than 1/2 hour if the temperature during such period remains entirely either:
(1) 
Below 35° F.; or
(2) 
Above 90° F.;
G. 
It shall be unlawful for any person to leave any dog outside and unattended during any period in which a severe weather warning has been issued for Camden County by the National Weather Service or for a continuous period of time greater than 1/2 hour if the temperature during such period remains entirely either:
(1) 
Below 35° F.; or
(2) 
Above 90° F.;
H. 
No outside confinement at night. No person owning or keeping a dog in the town may leave a dog chained, tethered or confined outside between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m.
In addition to the Borough police having jurisdiction, the Animal Control Officer(s), and SPCA agent(s) are hereby authorized to notify any owner or occupant of any premises in violation of this article, either personally or by posting such notice upon the premises, that such owner must bring the outdoor dog tethering violation into compliance with this article within one day of receipt of such notice. Upon the failure of such owner or occupant to bring his or her tethering situation into compliance with this article within such period of time, any of the foregoing individuals authorized by the Borough to enforce this article are herby authorized to enter upon such premises and to temporarily remove such dog(s) from the property.
Any removed dog will be held at the Camden County Animal Shelter or other designated or authorized facility. Prior to any hearing regarding the violation, such dog owner may regain possession of any confiscated dog upon an adequate showing to the confiscating party that his or her tethering situation has been brought into compliance with this article. No confiscated dog shall be considered surrendered to the confiscating party unless expressly surrendered by the dog owner or adjudicated as forfeited after a hearing on the matter.
Any person who violates any provisions of this article shall commit a summary offense, and shall, upon being found guilty by a Magisterial District Judge, after a hearing, pay a fine not to exceed $500, together with all enforcement and shelter costs in the event a dog must be confiscated, and all court costs as permitted by law. Each day of violation shall constitute a separate offense, which shall be subject to prosecution as such. Enforcement and prosecution of any violation of this article may be conducted by the Borough as provided by law or by its agent and its counsel.