Borough of Lansdowne, PA Animal Cruelty

The following regulations shall apply to all owners of domesticated animals in Lansdowne Borough:

Confinement of animals to be humane.

No animal shall be confined in a cage which has a wire bottom. All cages shall have a solid bottom and be free of hazardous materials, waste and contaminants.

(2)

Temporary enclosures must be large enough for the animal to stand up, turn around and lay down.

(3)

Permanent enclosures must be the greater of at least 24 square feet for dogs and nine square feet for cats, or twice the length and twice the width of the animal.

(4)

Animal waste including bodily fluids, food waste, soiled bedding, dead animals, garbage and water that is dirty and no longer potable shall be removed from all areas of the housing facility and disposed of on a daily basis to minimize or prevent contamination and disease risks to the animals. Where water is removed, the operator shall immediately provide new potable water to the animal.

Water and food. All animals are to be provided with adequate food and drinking water. Fresh water must be provided daily and must be protected from freezing.

Shelter. Any animal kept outside shall be provided with adequate shelter in order to protect it from the elements.

(1)

Outside shelters must be large enough for the animal to stand up, turn around and lie down but small enough for the animal to maintain warmth with body heat.

(2)

Entrances should be offset or covered with a flap to protect the animal from the elements.

(3)

Indoor and outdoor housing facilities for dogs shall be maintained in a manner to protect the dogs from injury, insure the sanitary conditions, and to contain the dogs.

(4)

The interior building surfaces of housing facilities shall be constructed and maintained so that they are water-resistant and may be readily sanitized. Outdoor facilities shall be constructed in a manner to allow them to be readily sanitized, to assure the animals have a mud-free area and to assure there is no standing or pooled water.

(5)

Housing facilities and primary enclosures for animals shall be constructed so that they are structurally sound, kept in good repair at all times and provide for the health, safety, welfare and comfort of the animals.

(6)

The interior surfaces of all primary enclosures must be free of rust, jagged edges and sharp points or any object which may cause harm or injury to the animal.

(7)

An animal may not be housed on a temporary or permanent basis in a drum or barrel dog house, regardless of the material of which the drum or barrel is constructed. Metal barrels, drums, cars, refrigerators, freezers or like materials may not be used as primary enclosures or shelter structures.

Tethers. If tethers are used to confine a dog, they shall be placed or attached so that the dog cannot become entangled with other objects or come into physical contact with other dogs and to allow the dog to roam to the full range of the tether. The tether must be of a type commonly used for the size dog involved and be attached to the dog by means of a well-fitted collar or body harness that will not cause trauma or injury to the dog. The tether must be a minimum of six feet long or at least five times the length of the dog as measured from the tip of its nose to the base of its tail, whichever is longer, and must allow the dog convenient and unfettered access to the dog house, permanent shade area and food and water containers.