Animal Control Officer to Impose Fines
Trappe Council approved the use of an animal control officer, who can fine residents up to $500, after reports of unleashed dogs roaming borough parks.
Trappe Borough Council approved the use of an animal control officer at its September meeting.
This issue came up after complaints of dogs roaming Trappe Borough unleashed. According to Trappe Borough Manager Jacqui Guenther, pit bulls have been left to roam Waterworks Park, and the borough needs to keep the public safe from harm.
Trappe Borough Code requires all dog owners to keep their dogs on a leash no more than 6 ft long, and to prevent the dog from damaging public property, or private property of others.
"The first time he catches a dog he will give the dog owner a warning," said Guenther. "If he gets called to catch the same dog a second time he will fine the dog owner $300, in accordance with Pennsylvania State Law."
The officer, also used by Limerick, Upper Providence, Collegeville, and other nearby communitites, has been contracted on an as-needed hourly basis.
Jennifer bracken
7:17 am on Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Here you guys go using Pitt bulls as your example. All breeds are dangerous not just pitt bulls. I have a Pitt bull and he goes to the dog parks and never once did he ever hurt another dog let alone a person. It's all in how you train your dog... Just saying...
D M
9:54 am on Wednesday, September 12, 2012
I see, so westies and aussies are ok to roam, it's just pit bulls that pose harm. Wow. By the way, did you know that canine profiling is illegal in PA?
Brianna
10:50 am on Wednesday, September 12, 2012
I am so tired of hearing people say how dangerous pit bulls are. I have two and they wouldn't hurt a fly. I am thinking about getting my older one certified as a Therapy Dog and she is already certified as a canine good citizen. My dogs are well behaved because I trained them to be. I also know 3 people who have been bit by labs and I don't hear people saying that they are a vicious breed.
Bill N.
11:50 am on Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Pit bulls and other terrier breeds are NOT dangerous! It's the moronic and neglectful owners who are the danger!!
Brittany Tressler
1:00 pm on Wednesday, September 12, 2012
The Animal Control Officer will not only be looking for Pit Bulls - it was just an example of a resident complaint that Trappe Borough gave Patch. The rules will apply to all dogs.
Laura Winslow
2:33 pm on Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Hmm. I don't like the 6 foot limit for the leash. What's that about? Good dog owners curb/heel their dogs at the appropriate times and give them a little room to roam when the park is quiet. It's not about the leash length. It's about proper behavior near other dogs and people. Dogs do go to a park for the same reason parents take their kids there: to get a bit of exercise and get out a bit of energy.
Lee
4:24 pm on Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Once hiking in Pennlyn Woods near Ambler, I and my German Shorthaired Pointer were chased by two roaming ASTs and it was not fun. Their owner finally saw what was happening and called them back. My dog was larger, but as a hunting breed no match for one AST, let alone two. You, Rotweiler and Bull Terrier owners get a bad rap I see that as a dog person, so the solution is we all have to follow the same code no matter what the breed. p.s. let them run really early in the morning when no one is around :)
squeak
9:07 pm on Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Guinea pigs running rampant. Shoot to kill.
Dee Cooper
9:19 pm on Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Would it make more sense to spend tax dollars on a dog park area in Waterworks Park?
Brittany Tressler
9:23 pm on Wednesday, September 12, 2012
That's a really interesting suggestion, Dee.