[HISTORY: Adopted by the Borough Council
of the Borough of Churchill 9-13-1994 by Ord. No. 645. Amendments noted where applicable.]
It shall be unlawful for dogs, cats or other
domestic animals of any kind and description to be permitted to run
at large throughout the borough.
Dogs, cats or other domestic animals must be confined at the premises of the owner of said animal. At all times dogs, cats or other domestic animals must be under the control of the owner thereof. Dogs, cats or other domestic animals, are permitted on the streets and highways of the borough when on a leash and in care of the owner of said animal. If a structural fence is used to confine domestic animals to their owner's property, the fence must be of sufficient height to prevent the animal(s) from jumping over the top and escaping. The fence must also be of sufficient sturdiness from top to bottom so that the animal(s) cannot push out from it or escape under it. However, in no event shall such fence exceed the height or other requirements of Chapter 304, Zoning.
It shall be the duty of the police officer and
Animal Control Officer to seize and detain any dog which is found
running at large upon the public streets or highways of the borough,
or upon the property of other than the owner of such dog and unaccompanied
by the owner and to seize and detain any cat or domestic animal which
is found running at large upon the public streets or highways of the
borough, or upon the property of other than the owner of such cat
or domestic animal and unaccompanied by owner thereof. Any police
officer is hereby authorized and empowered to go upon any premises,
to seize and detain any dog, cat or domestic animal which has been
found running at large unaccompanied by its owner when such police
officer or Animal Control Officer has been and is in immediate pursuit
of such dog, cat or other domestic animal.
As used in this chapter, the following terms
shall have the meanings indicated:
Any animal normally raised for its meat, milk, skins or other
products, or for its ability to perform work. Horses, cows, pigs,
sheep, goats, chickens, ducks, rabbits and other similar animals are
examples of farm animals and not household pets. Farm animals shall
be restricted to farm and parcels of land in excess of three acres.
Any resident may be permitted one rabbit and/or one duck, which will
be considered to be a household pet and not a farm animal. Bees are
not considered to be farm animals, but are regulated by PA Act 58
of April 6, 1921, P.L. 95.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: This act was originally found
at 3 P.S. § 691 et seq. which was repealed 12-12-1994, by
P.L. 903, No. 131. See 3 Pa.C.S.A. § 2101 et seq. (the Bee
Law).
Where proper complaint or other evidence has
verified the fact that a dog, cat or other domestic animal is mad,
or is suffering from rabies, any police officer of this borough, or
the Animal Control Officer, is herewith empowered, authorized and
directed to shoot such dog, cat or other domestic animal on sight.
The Council shall from time to time, and as
conditions warrant and make necessary, prescribe additional rules
and regulations concerning dogs, cats or other domestic animals, the
boarding and providing for all such types of animals seized and detained
by the police and Animal Control Officer of the borough, commitment
to a dog and cat pound, examination of diseased animals, especially
for rabies, return of dogs, cats or other domestic animals to the
lawful owners upon reimbursement for expenses incurred, fines, etc.,
and boarding and destruction of the same.
Residents shall not house, possess or board
such numbers and types of animals as to exceed the carrying capacity
of this property. Large numbers of specific muscular type dogs which
can revert to pack behavior shall be specifically limited. The borough
shall have the right to determine whether the safety and health of
animals and/or the residents (i.e., owners and neighbors) are compromised
or endangered by the presence of excess numbers of domestic animals
at any given property. The borough shall have the power to remove
and impound such animals to protect the public safety of the borough.
The Council of said borough is hereby authorized
and empowered to enter into contracts and agreements with persons
or agencies of humane type, which are competent and qualified to board,
administer to and care for animals, including the destruction of vicious
or diseased animals.
The provisions of Section 302 of Article III
of the Dog Law of 1965[1] providing for seizing, disarming and killing dogs, etc.,
are incorporated herein.
[1]
Editor's Note: See 3 P.S. § 459-302.
Each and every owner of dogs, cats or other domestic animals, in addition to keeping said animals under their control, shall be responsible for the cleanup and proper disposal as sewage of any animal waste, defecation or refuse created by said animals. Failure to do so shall be subject to the penal provisions of § 132-11 of this chapter.
[Amended 3-10-1998 by Ord. No. 667]
Any person violating any of the provisions of
this chapter or who fails or refuses to comply with any of the provisions
of this chapter shall, upon conviction in a summary proceedings before
the District Justice, be sentenced to pay a fine of $600 and costs
of prosecution, or in default of payment of said fine and costs, imprisonment
in the Allegheny County Jail for a period not to exceed 30 days. All
fines collected under the provisions of this chapter, either upon
pleas of guilty and waiving of formal charges, as well as all fines
collected under summary proceedings, shall be paid to the County Treasurer,
then to the borough as provided by the Dog Law of 1965.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: See 3 P.S. § 459-101
et seq.
