[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Supervisors of the Township
of Unity 8-24-2004 by Ord. No.
O-13-04.[1] Amendments noted where applicable.]
[1]
Editor's Note: This ordinance also repealed former Ch.
40, Animals, Art. I, Dogs, adopted 9-22-1998 by Ord. No. O-3-98, as
amended.
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated, unless a different meaning clearly appears from
the context.
When applied to the proprietorship of a dog, cat, or other
domestic pet, includes every person having a right of property in
such animal, and every person who keeps or harbors such animal or
has it in his care, and every person who permits such animal to remain
on or about any premises occupied by that person.
Being upon any public highway, street, alley, park or any
other public land or upon the private property of any other person
or persons other than the owner and not being accompanied by or under
the control of the owner or such other person having custody of said
animal.
A Dog Enforcement Officer shall be appointed by the Board of
Supervisors to serve at its pleasure. Such Dog Enforcement Officer
shall have responsibility for the enforcement of this article and
of the Dog Law, 3 P.S. § 459-101 et seq., provided that
the Officer shall have the power to make arrests under this Act of
Assembly or any other act of assembly or ordinance of the Township
or to report any violations to the Ordinance Enforcement Officer,
who will have the responsibility of filing any necessary lawsuit or
claim to enforce this chapter.
A.
It
shall be unlawful for the owner of any dog, cat, or other domestic
animal to allow or permit such animal to become a nuisance by affecting
adversely the health, safety, welfare, comfort or convenience of the
public.
B.
It
shall be unlawful for the owner of any dog, cat, or other domestic
animal to allow or permit such animal to run at large in the Township.
C.
It
shall be unlawful for the owner of any dog, cat, or other domestic
animal to allow said animal to continually and habitually hark, howl,
screech, or otherwise disturb the peace of the neighborhood.
D.
Persons
with defective eyesight or hearing who rely upon a dog specifically
trained for these purposes shall be exempt from the operation of this
chapter.
The Dog Enforcement Officer may seize any dog, cat, or other
domestic animal found at large in the Township with the same to be
impounded in a licensed kennel.
A.
Licensed
animals. The Dog Enforcement Officer shall notify the owner of a licensed
animal, by registered or certified mail with return receipt, that
the animal is impounded and will be disposed of in five days if not
claimed. Five days after the return receipt has been received, if
the animal has not been claimed, the animal may be sold or destroyed
in accordance with the Dog Law, 3 P.S. § 459-302.
B.
Unlicensed
animals. Unlicensed animals that are seized shall be held in such
kennel for 48 hours and, if not claimed, may be destroyed in accordance
with the Dog Law, 3 P.S. § 459-303.
A.
A
dog determined to be dangerous under § 502-A of the Dog
Law, 3 P.S. § 459-502(A), shall be restrained or otherwise
kept in accordance with Article VI-A of the Dog Law, 3 P.S. § 459-501(A)
et seq.
B.
Dogs
may be killed only in accordance with the requirements of § 501
of the Dog Law, 3 P.S. § 459-501, and otherwise said dogs
must be detained and delivered to the police or a state dog warden.
While detained, said dog must be treated in a humane manner.
A.
The
first two times that a dog, cat, or other domestic animal is seized,
the owner thereof shall be subject to a fine of not less than $50
nor more than $100, along with such reasonable fees for maintaining
the animal in a kennel as may be determined pursuant to a resolution
of the Township Supervisors.
B.
Any
person or owner allowing a dog, cat, or other domestic animal to run
at large a third or subsequent time in violation of this chapter shall,
upon conviction thereof, be sentenced to pay a fine of not less than
$500 nor more than $1,000 and, in default of payment thereof, to imprisonment
for a term not to exceed 30 days.
