Police to start enforcing dog laws

[dr_gingivitis]

Just recieved this from the 17th PD:

Good Afternoon Everyone:

Due to the increase in violence involving dogs. The 17th Police District will STRICTLY ENFORCE ALL Dog Ordinances. Please forward to all in your community groups. These include the following: ordinances:

§ 10-104. Animals Running at Large and Vicious Animals. 7
(1) No person shall permit any animal other than a sterilized cat to go at large upon any street, public place or private property other than the property of the owner of the animal. All animals, other than sterilized cats, using any street, public place or private property of anyone other than the owner of the animal shall be on a leash not exceeding six (6) feet in length including the handgrip but excluding the collar and accompanied by a person able to fully control the animal at all times.
Horses shall be exempt from the provision requiring a leash but shall under this Section require proper rein and bit or halter and lead shank.
Any animal running at large in violation of this subsection shall be seized by any animal control officer or police officer and delivered to an appropriate area of confinement approved by the Animal Control Agency.
(2) Notwithstanding subsection (1), any animal, other than a dangerous dog under Article V-A of the Dog Law, that is vicious may be seized by any police officer or any authorized animal control officer and may be humanely destroyed or rehabilitated for adoption at the discretion of the Animal Control Agency after a reasonable effort has been made to notify the owner. With respect to dangerous dogs, the provisions of Article V-A of the Dog Law (3 P.S. §§ 459-502-A, et seq.) shall control.
(3) The Animal Control Agency may, upon finding a cat to be feral, sterilize such cat and release it back to the cat's colony.
§ 10-104.1. Dog Fighting. 8
(1) No person shall intentionally, knowingly, recklessly, or negligently allow a dog to engage in dog fighting on public or private property.
(2) No owner of private property shall be allowed to use their real estate for the purposes of dog fighting.
(3) If it is determined by a police officer or an animal control officer that a dog has engaged in dog fighting, the dog shall be seized and examined by the appropriate agency for injuries, and to ascertain whether the dog is licensed, and whether it has rabies. The dog shall be returned to the owner only where (a) the owner has never been convicted of dog fighting or cruelty to animals under 18 Pa. C.S. § 5511 or a substantially similar law, and (b) the owner does not pose a future danger to the health and welfare of the dog. Otherwise, the dog shall remain impounded and may be forfeited, provided that where the fair market value of the dog is greater than $2,000 or such other amount set forth as the maximum allowable forfeiture under Section 17 of the Home Rule Act, Act of April 21, 1949, P.L. 665 (53 P.S. § 13131), the dog shall not be forfeited, but the owner shall instead be fined in an amount not to exceed $2,000, or the maximum allowable fine under Section 17 of the Home Rule Act, and further provided that no forfeiture pursuant to the Home Rule Act shall be imposed where the dog is forfeited under 18 Pa. C.S. § 5511. The Animal Control Agency is authorized to promulgate regulations setting forth the procedure to be employed when making determinations under this subsection.
§ 10-104.2. Vicious Animals in Playgrounds. 9
(a) No person shall bring any vicious animal into any playground owned or controlled by the City.
§ 10-105. Animals Committing Nuisances. 10
(1) Where Prohibited. No person, having possession, custody or control of any animal, shall knowingly or negligently permit any dog or other animal to commit any nuisance upon any gutter, street, driveway, alley, curb or sidewalk in the City, or upon the floors or stairways of any building or place frequented by the public or used in common by the tenants, or upon the outside walls, walkways, driveways, alleys, curbs or stairways of any building abutting on a public street or park, or upon the grounds of any public park or public area, or upon any private property, including the property of the owner of such animal.
(2) Removal. Any person, other than the owner, operator or driver of horse-drawn carriages, having possession, custody or control of any dog or other animal which commits a nuisance in any area other than the private property of the owner of such dog or other animal, as prohibited in § 10-105(1), shall be required to immediately remove the said feces from such surface and either: 10.1
(a) carry same away for disposal in a toilet; or
(b) place same in a nonleaking container for deposit in a trash or litter receptacle.
(3) Removal From Private Property. Any person, other than the owner, operator or driver of horse-drawn carriages, having possession, custody or control of any dog or other animal which commits a nuisance on the private property of the owner or on the private property of the person having possession, custody or control of such dog or other animal, as prohibited in 10-105(1), shall be required to remove said feces from such surface within twelve (12) hours and either: 10.2

(a) carry same away for disposal in a toilet; or
(b) place same in a nonleaking container for deposit in a trash or litter receptacle.
(4) Reserved. 11
(5) Horse Drawn Carriages. The owner, operator or driver of horse-drawn carriages operating in the area bounded by Washington avenue, Spring Garden street, Delaware avenue and Broad street shall be required to attach a containment device to the rear of each and every horse so fitted, to be maintained and emptied so that manure is completely contained therein, cannot and does not fall to any gutter, street, driveway, alley, curb or sidewalk in the City, and is not exposed and is carried away for proper disposal.
(6) Exception. The provisions of this Section shall not apply to a guide dog accompanying any blind persons, or to a dog used in any police or fire activities of the City or to horses not attached to horse-drawn carriages.
(7) Enforcement. For the purposes of enforcing the provisions of this Section, notice of violation shall be issued by police officers or any other person authorized to enforce ordinances.
(a) Whenever a police officer or any other official authorized to enforce ordinances observes a violation of the provisions of this Section, he shall hand to the violator a printed notice of violation. Such notice shall bear the date, time and nature of the violation, dog or carriage license number, identity and address of the violator, the amount to be remitted in response to the notice of violation, the penalty which can be imposed by the court for violation, and shall be signed by the person issuing the notice and shall bear the police officer's badge number or other official identification number identifying the person issuing the violation notice.
(b) Any person who receives a notice of violation, may within ten (10) days, pay the amount of twenty- five dollars ($25), admit the violation and waive appearance before a Municipal Court Judge. The notice of violation shall contain an appropriate statement for signature by the violator for the purpose of admitting the violation and waiving a hearing, and shall be returned by the violator when he remits the stipulated payment.
(c) If a person who receives a notice of violation fails to pay the prescribed payment within ten (10) days of the issuance of the notice of violation, a code enforcement complaint shall be issued for such violation in such manner as provided by law. If the person named in the code enforcement complaint is found to have violated this Section or fails to appear on the date set for hearing, he shall be subject to the imposition of fines in the amounts set forth in subsection 10-105(8) plus court costs. 12
(8) Penalties.
(a) The penalty for the first violation of any provision of this Section shall be a minimum fine of $100; the penalty for a second violation of any provision of this Section shall be a minimum fine of $200; the penalty for a third violation of any provision of this Section shall be a minimum fine of $300. The third violation of any provision of this Section will result in the commencement of proceedings as provided by law for the removal of said animal and delivery of same to an appropriate area of confinement approved by the Animal Control Agency. 12.1
(b) Any fine or costs imposed by the court shall be entered as a judgment against the violator.
(c) Any fine imposed by the court shall be paid within ten (10) days of its imposition. If the fine together with any court cost is not paid within such period, the violator shall be subject to proceedings for contempt of court and/or collection of the fine as provided by law.

If you have any questions, please call the 17th district.

P/O Pam Canada #1985
Victim Assistance Officer
17th Police District
20th & Federal St
Philadelphia, PA 19146
215-685-1747

[Gladys]

Good - now what about all the other ones as well.

[dr_gingivitis]

Good - now what about all the other ones as well.

Baby steps.

[The Count]

It's about time they started to bring the hammer down on irresponsible dog owners.

Ever since the pit bull fad began to take hold 6 or 7 years ago, the city had become increasingly over run by violent breeds spawning more than just a simple nuisance and become a safety issue.

Let's hope they actually follow through.

[Gladys]

Philly Undercover Premieres January 7th on NatGeo | Life With Dogs

yet another wonderful thing we are known for.

The dog fighting is the real problem. Once it's no longer lucrative the larger issues will resolve themselves.

Which is once again why the eagles decision astounds me in a city were this is prevalent.

[Lolly]

Of course dog fighting is bad but please don't derail the point of this thread. This is about illegal off-leash dogs in the 17th District (and everywhere in Philadelphia) and how the PPD is now resolved to actually enforce those laws. It's about time!

[JAX18]

The best they are going to be do is address people who walk their dog off leash or have them in a non dog park off leash. For the police and SPCA to help address dog fighting they need community help. People need to call in anything they believe to be suspicious.

I own a pit bull, who is a total sweet heart and was used a bait dog, it's about people open their eyes and make the PEOPLE involved accountable and stop blaming the dogs.

I will def be DVRing Philly Undercover. I wonder if all Sick Vick fans will be doing the same. Lets not forget that an animal abuser, murdered and torturer is praised upon in this city.

[PBSusan]

No one is derailing the point of the thread. The thread cites more than just off leash dogs. It specifically cites dog fighting issues, as well as nuisance issues.

[Lolly]

Okay maybe not derailing but down-playing the immediate (and most enforceable) issue. There is a tendency among some "dog people" to down-play that walking ANY off-leash dog is illegal, whether that's a mean-looking huge-jawed pitbull or timid greyhound or cute cuddly yorkie. Off-leash is not cool. And happily, will no longer be tolerated.

[Gladys]

Of course dog fighting is bad but please don't derail the point of this thread. This is about illegal off-leash dogs in the 17th District (and everywhere in Philadelphia) and how the PPD is now resolved to actually enforce those laws. It's about time!

it's not derailing. the comment was about the upsurge in violent breeds with irresponsible owners. that includes walking off leash, which is irresponsible. Dog fighting is an underlying cause of that whole culture. If it weren't a way to make money there wouldn't be so many people breeding pit bulls irresponsibly and people who think awe that puppy is cute, takes one not knowing WTF to do and walks them off leash.

no it's all intermingled. The law itself which was posted discusses the matter and that is why i responded as i did.

[Gladys]

The best they are going to be do is address people who walk their dog off leash or have them in a non dog park off leash. For the police and SPCA to help address dog fighting they need community help. People need to call in anything they believe to be suspicious.

I own a pit bull, who is a total sweet heart and was used a bait dog, it's about people open their eyes and make the PEOPLE involved accountable and stop blaming the dogs.

I will def be DVRing Philly Undercover. I wonder if all Sick Vick fans will be doing the same. Lets not forget that an animal abuser, murdered and torturer is praised upon in this city.

Amen. And people who do that to animals are likely to be violent to humans.

When the dog fighting rings are under control there will be many more responsible owners because it will no longer be a way to make money. Then the main offenders, those who walk untrained, potentially violent dogs off leash won't want to have the dogs at all. Which is better for the dogs.

if this wasn't happening and there was no violent attacks by dogs who are not well trained while off leash, this thread wouldn't even be here.

[Gladys]

No one is derailing the point of the thread. The thread cites more than just off leash dogs. It specifically cites dog fighting issues, as well as nuisance issues.

thank you.

[Gladys]

Okay maybe not derailing but down-playing the immediate (and most enforceable) issue. There is a tendency among some "dog people" to down-play that walking ANY off-leash dog is illegal, whether that's a mean-looking huge-jawed pitbull or timid greyhound or cute cuddly yorkie. Off-leash is not cool. And happily, will no longer be tolerated.

First of all, yorkies can be very violent, small yes but are aggressive.

Because of the irresponsible ownership that is uncool but a well trained dog walking next to their owner off leash is not a social evil. and very cool. If not for the stupid people it would be just fine.

If a dog is not a problem i see no problem in letting them wander on some grass off leash. there are much worse things out there to get in an uproar about. Going over board on a problem that is only with a small percentage of the population is not cool. In this case owners who walk potentially violent animals off leash. This dog who attacked Toni, i understand was pregnant which makes her even more aggressive.

I think it's good to enforce the leash law when there is a problem, and there is a problem right now. Which can be tied back to dog fighting and the culture that surrounds it.

But the doggy gestapo is a bit overboard when a harmless dog wants to walk on grass a little unhindered and their owner lets them and then is fined.. or someone on the street starts screaming at them like it's the end of the world. I don't want the police to be called out for off leash dogs who are fine when they could be doing something much more valuable. That's just silly. Really belongs in the get a life category.

Dogs can and do attack while on leash. They also dig up grass if their owners let them while on leash and do everything else that you might feel destroys property. The leash enforcement isn't going to change those things, but it might make you feel a little better. Those things will never change until the owners stop letting their dogs do it. Leashes have nothing to do with that. Just like people will throw trash on the ground, or kids get into trouble because their parents see nothing wrong with their behavior.

I know, let's build some stocks in montrose park and when someone walks their dog off leash they'll be put in the stocks and all the people who want to can come scream at them in public until they've learned their lesson.

[ColeenH]

First of all, yorkies can be very violent, small yes but are aggressive.

Because of the irresponsible ownership that is uncool but a well trained dog walking next to their owner off leash is not a social evil. and very cool. If not for the stupid people it would be just fine.

If a dog is not a problem i see no problem in letting them wander on some grass off leash. there are much worse things out there to get in an uproar about. Going over board on a problem that is only with a small percentage of the population is not cool. In this case owners who walk potentially violent animals off leash. This dog who attacked Toni, i understand was pregnant which makes her even more aggressive.

I think it's good to enforce the leash law when there is a problem, and there is a problem right now. Which can be tied back to dog fighting and the culture that surrounds it.

But the doggy gestapo is a bit overboard when a harmless dog wants to walk on grass a little unhindered and their owner lets them and then is fined.. or someone on the street starts screaming at them like it's the end of the world. I don't want the police to be called out for off leash dogs who are fine when they could be doing something much more valuable. That's just silly. Really belongs in the get a life category.

Dogs can and do attack while on leash. They also dig up grass if their owners let them while on leash and do everything else that you might feel destroys property. The leash enforcement isn't going to change those things, but it might make you feel a little better. Those things will never change until the owners stop letting their dogs do it. Leashes have nothing to do with that. Just like people will throw trash on the ground, or kids get into trouble because their parents see nothing wrong with their behavior.

I know, let's build some stocks in montrose park and when someone walks their dog off leash they'll be put in the stocks and all the people who want to can come scream at them in public until they've learned their lesson.

This "dog-person" believes that ALL off-leash dogs are a problem. When your "not-a-problem" (what does that even mean? Not aggressive?) approaches my leashed dog-aggressive shepherd, there WILL be a fight, and it will be YOUR fault, because I was obeying the leash law.

In addition, dogs are still dogs. Something like a cat across the street, or a squirrel, will capture their attention, and even the BEST-trained dogs can forget their training and bolt -- and you could have a dead or severely-injured dog on your hands.

[Gladys]

Wouldn't it be nice if they enforced the drug laws, say on 22nd street around St. Albans???? now there's a problem that doesn't seem to be worthy of eliminating no matter how many people get mugged on that stretch. Its a very targeted area and the culture surrounding the drug trade is what is mostly creating the muggings.

that's so much more important than if a fluffy friendly sheep dog walks off leash for a while.

[Gladys]

This "dog-person" believes that ALL off-leash dogs are a problem. When your "not-a-problem" (what does that even mean? Not aggressive?) approaches my leashed dog-aggressive shepherd, there WILL be a fight, and it will be YOUR fault, because I was obeying the leash law.

In addition, dogs are still dogs. Something like a cat across the street, or a squirrel, will capture their attention, and even the BEST-trained dogs can forget their training and bolt -- and you could have a dead or severely-injured dog on your hands.

you are absolutely correct. and that is why i always walk mine on leash. but when its safe for them i do allow them to walk around of leash for a bit. very infrequently. My point is... there are so many other social evils more serious that need police attention.

[ColeenH]

you are absolutely correct. and that is why i always walk mine on leash. but when its safe for them i do allow them to walk around of leash for a bit. very infrequently. My point is... there are so many other social evils more serious that need police attention.

My point is -- it's never 100% "safe" (or legal) unless you are inside a dog park.

[VWPHILLY]

I got another law that should be enforced more.......TRASH
Explain to me how MARC can leave trash out on all 4 corners of their property for days and not get fined???????? I find all kinds of garbadge, furniture, food etc out there for days but if I was to do that I would get a ticket mailed to me. Now I have to do thier job and clean up their property because their trash ends up in front of my house.
T

[loveisnoise]

This whole thread and crackdown is racist. Hopefully the N.A.A.C.P. can step in and stop these aggressive tactics.

[torts]

Wouldn't it be nice if they enforced the drug laws, say on 22nd street around St. Albans???? now there's a problem that doesn't seem to be worthy of eliminating no matter how many people get mugged on that stretch. Its a very targeted area and the culture surrounding the drug trade is what is mostly creating the muggings.

that's so much more important than if a fluffy friendly sheep dog walks off leash for a while.

stttopppp