City Code, ExplainedBetaPardon our dust while we build this out — expect some changes along the way.

This chapter governs the keeping of animals in the City of Pottsville, covering licensing and vaccination of dogs and cats, care and housing standards, prohibited and dangerous animals, cruelty, breeding, and enforcement with fines.

Who this affects

Anyone who owns, keeps, or harbors an animal in the city, as well as operators of kennels, pet shops, and animal housing; it also governs residents' interactions with stray, feral, and outdoor animals.

Key rules

• Dogs three months or older must be licensed by the Schuylkill County Treasurer and wear a collar and license tag, always displayed when off the owner's property.
• Dogs and cats three months or older must be vaccinated against rabies within 36 months (modified live virus) or 12 months (standard vaccine); proof must be provided within 48 hours if requested.
• Animals may not run at large in the City; dogs are barred from City parks except in designated areas and must not be at large there.
• Owners must remove animal fecal matter from another's property immediately, and may not let it accumulate on their own property for more than 24 hours; service dogs accompanying disabled persons are exempt.
• Residents may not feed, shelter, or interact with outdoor animals/wildlife (except feral cats and strays) unless working with a licensed rescue, state agency, or City official; birdhouses in proper repair are exempted.
• Feeding feral cats is unlawful except through a City-sponsored trap-neuter-return program conducted on the feeder's own property, not public property; destroying traps or releasing captured cats is prohibited.
• Owners of animals known to be vicious must use adequate protective devices; an attack is prima facie evidence of inadequate precautions and requires surrender of the animal.
• A vicious animal at large that cannot be safely captured may be slain by a police officer.
• An animal at large may be impounded; if released to its owner instead, the owner must present a valid rabies certificate within 72 hours or surrender the animal.
• Animal bites must be reported immediately to the Bureau of Health; the biting animal must be confined for a ten-day observation period and examined by a veterinarian.
• Seized animals are held with notice by registered mail; owners have one week to reclaim, and unclaimed animals may be rehomed with costs billed to the owner; animals held seven or more days may be adopted out, with adoption solicitation starting after four days.
• Reclaiming a seized animal requires paying boarding costs, a $50-per-day impoundment fee plus related expenses, any fines, and proof of licensing/vaccination compliance.
• Slaughtering of animals is not allowed in the City except at places authorized by state or federal agencies.
• Dead animals must be cremated, buried, or otherwise disposed of by the owner; after 48 hours' written notice of noncompliance, the City may do so at the owner's expense.
• Kennels and pet shops are barred from residential areas and must meet zoning requirements plus detailed minimum standards for feeding, health, buildings, and cage/run size.
• Animal housing (up to four animals) must meet minimum standards for feeding, shelter, sanitation, and escape prevention; animals may not be left in a vehicle more than eight feet from their owner while the owner is inside a store, church, or office.
• Wild or exotic animals, and farm animals such as cattle, swine, sheep, or goats, may not be kept in the City except in specific exempted settings; sale or transfer of wild/exotic animals is prohibited.
• Cruelty to animals is prohibited, including overdriving, overloading, torturing, mutilating, failing to provide food/water/shelter/veterinary care, abandonment, poisoning, and animal fighting.
• Habitual barking, howling, or yelping that disturbs the peace is prohibited.
• Breeding of any animals in the City is prohibited, with exemptions possible for shelters or pet shops at the discretion of the City Health and Animal Officer and City Council approval.
• Dangerous or vicious dogs must be registered with the Health Department ($500 fee, $250 annual renewal) within 72 hours of notice, must display a warning sign, be confined in a specified secure pen if kept outdoors, and be leashed (four feet maximum, no retractable leashes) and muzzled when off the property, controlled by a person at least 16 years old.
• Owners of dangerous dogs must provide, within four weeks, proof of a liability insurance rider, current rabies vaccination, current license, and microchipping, and must have the dog neutered or spayed within four weeks.

Penalties

General violations: first offense verbal warning, second offense written warning, third offense $100 fine, fourth offense $250 fine, with up to 90 days' imprisonment for default of payment. Dangerous or vicious dog violations: $1,000 fine per offense, with each day of violation a separate offense, up to 90 days' imprisonment for default of payment; three violations of the owner-responsibility provisions result in mandatory euthanasia of the dog at the owner's expense, or euthanasia may be ordered after a single attack depending on severity. Unpaid fees under §§ 87-8 and 87-20 become a lien on the property, including filing, satisfaction, and attorney's fees.

Notable and archaic details

• The definition of "wild or exotic animal" separately lists weasels, martens, mink, wolverine, ferrets, badgers, otters, ermine, and mongoose under the heading "Bears (Ursidae)," alongside actual bears.
• Anyone who "must detain a stray/at large animal" is required to call a humane officer, animal control officer, police officer, Dog Warden, or state-approved shelter immediately, but detaining an animal known to be owned by someone else is itself against City ordinance.
• The chapter adopts the Pennsylvania Dog Law (Act of December 7, 1982, P.L. 784, No. 225) by reference.