VILLAS – Shore Animal Control Services warns owners of dogs running at large in Lower Township they will be issued a summons and subject to fines and animal shelter fees.
Numerous dogs have been picked up the past two weeks in the township and taken to the county Animal Shelter which requires a reclaim fee of $45 after a 24-hour grace period. In addition to paying shelter fees, dog owners may be subject to fines beginning at $100.
In the past, dogs found running loose were often returned to their owners as courtesy but that has ended, according to Lower Township Manager Mike Voll.
“We’ve had incidents in the past where people have been attacked by dogs running loose and domestic animals have been attacked and killed,” said Voll. “If dogs are habitually running at large, they will be taken to the county Animal Shelter and their owners will have to pay a fee to get them back.”
A Lower Township ordinance states: “No person owning, possessing or harboring any dog shall suffer or permit it to be in the public highways or any place in the township other than on the premises of the possessor, unless such dog is accompanied by a person over the age of 12 years and is securely confined and controlled by an adequate leash not more than six feet in length.”
The township allows use of Invisible Fence. An ordinance specifies that dogs chained or tethered outdoors must be able to move freely and shall be confined for a period no greater than nine hours within a 24-hour period.
The size of the tether or chain must be a minimum of 15-linear feet and shall remain tangle free. Dogs must be equipped with properly fitted harness or buckle type collar. The tether or chain shall be constructed of lightweight cable. A doghouse shall be accessible to dogs that are chained or tethered.
Residents may report animals which are possibly in danger due to abuse or neglect by calling Shore Animal Control: 1-800-351-1822.
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