SHENANDOAH - Canines that fit the description of a dangerous dog will have to be registered with the borough.
The council formally adopted an ordinance Thursday that defines what a "dangerous" or "vicious" dog is and the responsibilities of owners or keepers of such dogs.
The ordinance was adopted in a 7-0 vote after being explained by borough solicitor Michael A. O'Pake. The new regulations were prompted by an increase in dangerous and vicious dog attacks in Shenandoah, with the ordinance being "an effort to protect the health, safety and welfare of the citizens" of Shenandoah through a comprehensive program.
O'Pake read the following definitions of what a dangerous or vicious dog is:
- Any dog which bites, inflicts injury, assaults or otherwise attacks a human being or a domestic animal without provocation.
- Any dog which, without provocation, approaches in a threatening or terrorizing manner, any person or domestic animal upon the streets, sidewalks or any public grounds or places.
- Any dog which is trained to attack or cause injury or to otherwise endanger the safety of human beings or domestic animals, or any dog which has a history of attacking or propensity to attach people or domestic animals without provocation.
The ordinance does not require all dogs in the borough to be registered. However, any dog which fits this description must be registered with the Shenandoah health department and the owner must pay a $250 registration fee.
"The registration itself must be posted in a conspicuous place on the owner's premises," O'Pake said.
The ordinance states that if the animal is kept outdoors, the owner must properly confine the dog in a pen or structure with secure sides and a secure top. If the dog is taken from its confined area on the property by the owner, it must be securely leashed and muzzled, with the leash no longer than four feet, and the person controlling the dog must be at least 16 years old.
At the time of registration, the owner must provide:
- The property owner's and/or tenant's insurance policy for the property in which the dangerous dog is housed that must contain a rider or liability clause for dangerous dogs.
- Proof that the dog's rabies vaccination status is current.
- Proof that the dog is licensed for the current year.
- The permanent ID if the dog is microchipped.
"Any violation of this ordinance will result in a $500 fine and can be enforced by the Shenandoah police department, the code enforcement officer or the health officer," O'Pake said. "If there are three violations in which such a dog inflicts injury, assaults or attacks a human being or domestic animal, that dog must be euthanized."
Councilman Robert Shortt motioned for the adoption, with Councilman Paul Holland providing the second.
