[Adopted 4-7-1958 by Ord.
No. 1958-109; amended in its entirety 6-11-1985 by Ord. No. 1985-02 (Ch. 2, Part 1, of the 1985 Code of Ordinances)]
As used in this Article I, the following terms have the meaning indicated, unless a different meaning clearly appears from the context:
Any person having a right of property in any dog or having
custody of any dog, or any person who harbors or permits a dog to
remain on or around his or her property.
Being upon any public highway, street, alley, park, or any
other public land, or upon property of another person other than the
owner, and not being accompanied by or under the control of the owner
or any other person having custody of said dog.
It shall be unlawful for the owner of any dog or dogs to allow
or permit such dog or dogs to run at large in the Township.
Any police officer or dog warden may seize any dog found at
large in the Township. Such dogs are to be impounded in a licensed
kennel.
Owners of licensed dogs are to be notified by registered or
certified mail, with return receipt, that the dog is impounded and
will be disposed of in five days if not claimed. Five days after the
return receipt has been received, and the dog has not been claimed,
the dog may be sold or destroyed in accordance with the 1982 Dog Law.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: See 3 P.S. § 459-101 et seq.
Unlicensed dogs that are seized are to be held in such kennel
for 48 hours and if not claimed may be destroyed in accordance with
the 1982 Dog Law.
Dogs that, in the opinion of any police officer or dog warden,
constitutes a threat to public health and welfare may be killed by
the police or dog warden.
[Amended 18-1996 by Ord. No. 1996-07[1]]
Any person who violates or permits a violation of this article
shall, upon being found liable therefor in a civil enforcement proceeding
commenced by the Township before a Magisterial District Judge, pay
a fine of not more than $600, plus all court costs, including reasonable
attorneys’ fees, incurred by the Township in the enforcement
of this article. No judgment shall be imposed until the date of the
determination of the violation by the Magisterial District Judge.
If the defendant neither pays nor timely appeals the judgment, the
Township may enforce the judgment pursuant to the applicable Rules
of Civil Procedure. Each day a violation exists shall constitute a
separate offense. Further, the appropriate officers or agents of the
Township are hereby authorized to seek equitable relief, including
injunction, to enforce compliance herewith.
