Animal Control

Animal Complaints

In an effort to accommodate residents who have domestic animal complaints, the Borough of Emmaus entered into a contract with The Lehigh County Humane Society. Animal Complaints are to be reported to the Animal Control Officer, April Schiel, by calling 484-781-2000.

The Borough of Emmaus no longer contracts services with The Sanctuary at Haafsville.

Policies

The Borough’s policies with respect to domestic animals are: 

  • Residents should notify Animal Control at 484-781-2000 to report stray dogs and any cat problems.
  • Residents are strongly discouraged from feeding stray animals. 
  • The Emmaus Police Department and the Animal Control Officer will first make every effort to return lost pets and domestic animals to the rightful owner prior to removing the animal to a shelter.
  • All Borough Ordinances governing domestic dogs, as well as the Pennsylvania Dog Law, will be enforced by the Emmaus Police Department and the Animal Control Officer.
  • The Emmaus Animal Control Officer may be reached at the Emmaus Police Department at 610-967-3113 (24 hours).

Dogs at Large

Section 101 - Definitions

As used in this Part, the following terms have the meaning indicated unless a different meaning clearly appears from the context:

  • Owner - Any person having a right of property in any 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 not being accompanied by or under the control of the owner or any other person having custody of said dog. (Ordinance 480, 12/30/1971 ; as revised by Ordinance 675, 11/17/1986)

Section 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 Borough. (Ordinance 480, 12/30/1971 ; as revised by Ordinance 675, 11/17/1986)

Section 103 - Seizing of Dogs

Any police officer or dog warden may seize any dog found at large in Borough . Such dogs are to be impounded in a licensed kennel. (Ordinance 480, 12/30/1971; as revised by Ordinance 675, 11/17/1986)

Section 104 - Licensed Dogs

Owners of licensed dogs are to be notified by registered or certified mail, with return receipt, that the dog is impounded and will be disposed of in five days if not claimed. Five days after the return receipt has been received, and the dog has not been claimed, the dog may be sold or destroyed in accordance with the 1982 Dog Law. (Ordinance 480, 12/30/1971 ; as revised by Ordinance 675, 11/17/1986)

Section 105 - Unlicensed Dogs

Unlicensed dogs that are seized are to be held in such kennel for 48 hours and if not claimed may be destroyed in accordance with the 1982 Dog Law. (Ordinance 480, 12/30/1971; as revised by Ordinance 675, 11/17/1986)

Section 106 - Threatening Dogs

Dogs that, in the opinion of any police officer or dog warden, constitutes a threat to public health and welfare may be killed by the police or dog warden. (Ordinance 480, 12/30/1971; as revised by Ordinance 675, 11/17/1986)

Section 107 - Penalty

The first two times a dog is seized, the owner shall pay a fine of fifteen dollars ($15 .00) to the Borough as well as reasonable fees for keeping the animal in a kennel.  Any person allowing an animal to run at large a third time in violation of this ordinance shall, upon conviction thereof, be sentenced to pay a fine of not more than three hundred dollars ($300); and/or to imprisonment for a term not to exceed ninety (90) days. (Ordinance 480, 12/30/1971 as revised by Ordinance 675, 11/17/1986)

Cats

Section 401 - Definitions

As used in this Part:

  • Animal Control Officer - that person or persons designated by the Borough Council to enforce certain provisions of this Part, including all police officers.
  • At Large - off the premises of the owner, and not under the control of the owner, or a member of his immediate family, either by leash, cord, chain, or otherwise.
  • Cat - a carnivorous mammal scientifically known as Felis catus, long domesticated and kept persons as pets.
  • Owner - any person, firm, or corporation having a right of property in any animal that is kept or harbored within the corporate limits of the Borough of Emmaus, as well as any person, firm or corporation occupying any premises within the corporate limits of the Borough of Emmaus which permits any animal to remain, in, on or about its premises. (Ordinance 744, 3/18/1991, Section 1)

Section 402 - Licenses

All cats, owned, kept or harbored within the corporate limits of the Borough of Emmaus shall be licensed annually by the first of July after such cat shall attain the age of three months at the Emmaus Borough Office and shall wear a collar and license tag. This provision does not apply to cats whose owners are non-residents and are temporarily within the Borough, nor to cats brought into the Borough for breeding, trial, or show purposes. The license fee shall be established from time to time by resolution of Borough Council. In order to obtain the license it shall be necessary for the owner to complete an application form and produce evidence of a current vaccination against rabies. (Ordinance 744, 3/18/1991, Section 2)

Section 403 - Unlawful Acts

It is unlawful for any owner of any cat to allow or permit such cat to run at large in the Borough. (Ordinance 744, 3/18/1991, Section 3)

Section 404 - Inspections & Seizures

An Animal Control Officer or a member of the police department may go upon any public premises or enter any public building and go upon any private premises or enter any private building with the consent of the owner of such premises, to make inspections for the purpose of determining compliance with this Part. The Animal Control Officer or member of the police department may seize and impound any cat, licensed or unlicensed, found running at large, in violation of this Part, upon the public streets or highways of the Borough and or private property appurtenant to private buildings and structures with the consent of the owner of such property. Any dangerous, fierce, or vicious cat which can not be safely seized or impounded may be slain by the Animal Control Officer. A member of the police department may similarly slay a dangerous, fierce, or vicious cat which can not be safely seized or impounded only with the approval of the Police Chief, or his designee. (Ordinance 744, 3/18/1991, Section 4)