[Adopted 3-9-1967 by Ord. No. 1201]
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
ANIMAL
Applies to dogs and all other animals susceptible to rabies.
OWNER
Includes any person having a right of property in any animal and any person who keeps or harbors an animal or has an animal in care or allows it to remain on or about any premises occupied by such person.
VETERINARIAN
A graduate of a recognized school of veterinary medicine licensed to practice in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
A. 
Persons bitten by animals. It shall be the duty of any person who has knowledge that an animal has bitten or injured any person in this municipality immediately to report the facts and the whereabouts of such animal to the Abington Police Department, and it shall be the duty of the owner of every such animal immediately to confine it in such manner as will prevent it from escaping or running at large.
B. 
Animal bitten by an animal suspected of rabies. It shall be the duty of any person who has knowledge that an animal in this municipality has been bitten or otherwise injured by or been exposed to or been in contact with an animal infected with or suspected of being infected with rabies immediately to report the facts and the whereabouts of such animal to the Abington Police Department.
C. 
Animals infected with rabies. It shall be the duty of any person who has knowledge that an animal in this municipality is infected with or suspected of being infected with rabies immediately to report the facts and the whereabouts of such animal to the Abington Police Department. Any animal suspected of being infected with rabies shall immediately be removed to and confined under the supervision of a veterinarian. Disposition of such animal shall be as agreed upon by the Abington Health Department and the veterinarian.
D. 
Reports of treatment for animal bites. It shall be the duty and obligation of any person treating any persons for animal bites to report such treatment to the Abington Police Department.
A. 
Any animal suspected of having rabies or which has bitten a person or another animal shall be confined by the owner for an observation period of ten days from the date the bite or injury occurred, at the home of the owner or at some other location selected by such owner, under the supervision of a veterinarian, in such manner as will prevent it from escaping or running at large.
B. 
Immediately upon being placed in confinement, the animal shall be examined by a veterinarian employed by the owner. A written report of the results of such examination shall be submitted by the owner or the veterinarian to the Abington Police Department within 24 hours from the time of the bite or injury. Such report must be signed and dated by the veterinarian.
C. 
If at any time during the said ten-day observation period the animal develops symptoms indicative of rabies, such fact shall be communicated at once to the Abington Department of Health. Removal or relocation of the animal under such conditions shall be at the discretion of the Abington Department of Health but at the expense of the owner.
D. 
If at any time during the said ten-day observation period the animal should die, the owner shall immediately so notify the veterinarian concerned and also the Abington Department of Health. Disposition of the body under such conditions shall be according to the instructions of the Abington Department of Health. The term "immediately" shall be construed to mean within the hour of the time of death.
E. 
At the end of the said ten-day observation period, the animal shall be subject to further examination by a veterinarian at the discretion of the Abington Department of Health. Such examination, if required, shall be at the expense of the owner. Thereafter, at the discretion of the Abington Department of Health, the animal may be released from confinement.
F. 
Any animal which is suspected of having rabies or which bites a human being or severely injures a household pet shall be confined in quarters approved by a designated employee of the Department of Health, a State Dog Warden or employee of the Department of Agriculture, an animal control officer or a police officer. Such animal may be detained and isolated in an approved kennel or at the animal owner's property. Where such animal is detained is at the discretion of the investigating officer. All animals so detained must be isolated for a minimum of ten days. Any costs incurred in the detaining and isolation of such animal shall be paid by the offending animal's owner or keeper.
[Amended 12-14-1989 by Ord. No. 1667]
G. 
In the event the owner of an animal that must be confined for observation is unknown or unable to act for any reason, the Abington Police Department shall carry out the obligations of the owner under this section of this article, at the expense of the owner.
H. 
The investigating officer shall be responsible for notifying the bite victim of the medical results of the offending animal's confinement. Any cost to the victim for medical treatment resulting from an attacking or biting animal must be paid fully by the owner or keeper of such animal.
[Amended 12-14-1989 by Ord. No. 1667]
In the event of an emergency as evidenced by the incidence of rabies in Abington Township or as declared by the Pennsylvania State Department of Health or any other authorized state or federal agency, the Abington Health Officer is hereby authorized, in order further to protect the health and welfare of the public, to issue temporary regulations to meet such emergency. Any temporary regulations thus issued shall be in writing, and a certified copy thereof filed with the Township Secretary and be available for inspection by the public upon request. A copy of such temporary regulations shall be posted in the Abington Township Municipal Building for inspection by the public.
Any person failing to comply with any of the provisions of this article shall be liable for each such offense, upon conviction before any District Justice within the Township of Abington, to a fine of not more than $100, together with the costs of prosecution, and in default of payment of such fine and costs, to undergo imprisonment for a period not exceeding five days, and each day's failure to comply with any such provisions shall constitute a separate violation.