Palmyra adopts animal-control law
Failure to restrain pets could cost residents up to $600 in fines.
By CHRIS SHOLLY Staff Writer
Lebanon Daily News

Updated: 06/30/2010 09:19:06 AM EDT


PALMYRA -- Palmyra residents whose pets are found running loose in the
borough could face fines of up to $600 under a new law Borough Council
adopted this week.
The council has discussed an animal-control ordinance at recent workshops
after hearing complaints from citizens about pets, most recently cats. At
a meeting in May, Shirley Morgan of North Railroad Street spoke in favor
of such an ordinance.

"Last year, our neighbors got together and collected 24 cats just from our
area, took them over to the Humane Society," she told council.

Before adopting the ordinance, the borough used the state dog law to
enforce animal control. That law, however, does not cover cats.

"It applies to any animal," borough manager Roger Powl said of the new
code. "The animal has to be under the control of the owner at all times."

The purpose of the ordinance is to control domestic animals so they do not
cause a public nuisance. Owners also are required to remove animal waste
on any public street or right-of-way.

Powl said the ordinance does not require residents to license cats, which
the council had discussed previously. But it gives the borough the
authority to deal with cats running loose.

"Sometimes people leave their garage door open and let the cats go in and
out," he said. "Well, with this ordinance we can now say that they're
taking ownership of those cats, whether they are their cats or not, so now
those people are responsible for them."

The ordinance also contains

an animal-noise section as well as sections on mistreatment of domestic
animals and rabies inoculation requirements.
Anyone who has a pet that has injured another person or animal by biting
must keep the pet in quarantine for no less than 14 days from the time of
the incident and must notify police within an hour after the discovery of
the incident, the new law states.

Under the ordinance, which will take effect within 10 days, residents
could face fines of up to $600 if their pets are running loose in the
borough. The district judge would determine the amount of the fine.

In other business, council:

--- Appointed Light-Heigel & Associates Inc., 430 E. Main St., to serve as
building code official, effective immediately. The company will review
commercial and residential plans, conduct inspections and issue
construction code permits required as part of the Pennsylvania State
Uniform Construction Code. Previously, the borough relied on the Lebanon
County Planning Department for those services.

--- Appointed Betty Smith to a three-year term on the Palmyra Area
Education Foundation board of trustees, beginning in July and expiring
June 30, 2013.

--- Authorized the police chief to submit an application for the federal
COPS grant, which would cover the costs for salary, about $40,000
annually, plus benefits, of one additional police officer for three years.

--- Announced that a presentation on the Main Street Corridor Study would
be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday, July 13, in the municipal center recreation
room. The public is encouraged to attend.

Powl also told council the borough would receive a snow assistance grant
for $7,785 from the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency as the result
of costs incurred from this year's winter storms.

Council's next workshop will be at 6 p.m. Tuesday, July 13, and the next
regular public meeting will be at 7 p.m. July 26.

chrissholly@ldnews.com; 272-5611, ext. 151