Responsible pet ownership is an important concern for all citizens of Susquehanna Township. The following information is not only for pet owners but also for every citizen in the Township. Many people are not aware of Pennsylvania State Laws and Township Ordinances governing the keeping and maintaining of domestic animals. We want our citizens to be well informed. Below you will find sections of the PA Dog Law (Dog Law – Omnibus Amendments, Act of 1996, P.L. 943, No. 151) and sections from the Code of Ordinances, Township of Susquehanna.

Pennsylvania law requires that all dogs be licensed. Dog licenses can be obtained through several sources: Dauphin County Treasurers Office, Susquehanna Township Tax Office, and several pet- related businesses in the area. Application must be made by the dog owner on or before January 1 of each year. Licenses are required for dogs three months of age or older unless exempted by law. There is a discount in the fee for PA residents 65 years of age or older. Permanent lifetime registrations are available. Check with your veterinarian and county treasurer for details.

Rabies is a viral disease most frequently transmitted by the bite of a rabid animal or transmitted through the contact of infected saliva into an open wound, fresh abrasion, mucous membrane, or the eye. Pennsylvania Dog Law (under the Rabies Prevention and Control in Domestic Animals and Wildlife Act effective February 13, 1987) mandates rabies vaccinations be given to every dog and household cat over the age of three months. Vaccinations must be administered or supervised by a licensed veterinarian. The Humane Society of Harrisburg also provides local clinics for low cost rabies vaccinations. If you believe that your pet has been exposed to a rabid animal, you should confine your pet and seek veterinarian help immediately. If you would like further information on rabies in Pennsylvania, stop in at the Police Department and pick up a copy of the PA Department of Agriculture’s pamphlet, "About Rabies".

Susquehanna Township enacted Ordinances 89-16, 11/21/89 and 74-3, 05/29/74, which further detail domestic animal ownership in the Township. Portions of those ordinances follow:

Part 1 "Dogs Running at Large"

·        101. Definitions.

OWNER: any person having a right of property in a dog or having custody of any dog, or any person who harbors or permits a dog to remain on or around his or her property.

RUNNING AT LARGE: being upon any public highway, street, alley, park, or any other public land, or upon property of another person other than the owner, and being accompanied by or under the control of the owner or any other person having custody of said dog.

·        102. Unlawful to Allow Dogs to Run at Large.

It shall be unlawful for the owner of any dog or dogs to allow or permit such dog or dogs to run at large in the Township of Susquehanna.

Part 2 "Maintenance of Certain Animals"

·        201. Definitions.

Domestic Animal – any animal as hereinafter defined as a household pet, a large animal or a small animal;

Household Pet – any dog, cat, or other domestic animal normally and ordinarily kept in or permitted to be in the dwelling of its owner:

Large Animal – any domestic animal of the bovine, equine, sheep or hog family;

SMALL ANIMAL – any domestic animal such as a rabbit, hare, guinea pig, rat, mouse, or chinchilla; and any domestic fowl such as a chicken, turkey, goose, duck or pigeon (except homing pigeons).

·        205. Unlawful Acts

It shall be unlawful for any person to allow any pet, domestic animal, nondomestic animal to do the following:

A.    To make any loud or harsh noise or disturbance which shall interfere with or deprive the peace, quiet, rest or sleep of any person within the Township; and/or

B.    To defile, befoul, corrupt, or otherwise desecrate any sidewalk, or walkway, or the property of another.

Pet ownership can be fun and rewarding but with it comes responsibility! If you would like any further information, please call Susquehanna Township Police Department.