(1) Responsibilities of Various Departments.
(a) The Animal Control Agency shall have primary responsibility for the control of animals pursuant to this Chapter of The Philadelphia Code.
(.1) The Animal Control Agency shall authorize Animal Control Officers to monitor and enforce the provisions of this Chapter. Animal Control Officers are empowered to enforce the provisions of this Chapter, and shall issue orders or citations or impound animals or otherwise act to enforce the provisions of this Chapter, or to act as animal control officers as designated in applicable state law.
(.2) The Animal Control Agency shall promulgate regulations for the issuance of licenses and set by regulation the requirements and standards for the humane operation of businesses relating to animals pursuant to this Chapter.
(.3) Upon notice of any violation of this Chapter or any regulation or standard promulgated thereunder, the Animal Control Agency or an animal control officer shall conduct an inspection and when necessary take appropriate action including but not limited to the issuance of fines as described in this Chapter. The Animal Control Agency or an animal control officer may seek the suspension or revocation of licenses where appropriate.
(.4) The Animal Control Agency shall establish standards for granting waivers to residents for keeping more than twelve (12) adult dogs or cats combined based on the welfare and safety of the animals, residents and local community.
(b) The Animal Control Agency shall issue licenses and accept registrations in accordance with this Chapter and the regulations promulgated thereunder, and may seek the revocation or suspension of licenses issued under this Chapter when appropriate.
(2) Animal Control Fund.
(a) There is hereby established in the Office of the Managing Director an Animal Control Fund, to include the following items which shall accrue to the Fund:
(.1) All licensing fees and fines received or levied under this Chapter relating to Animals.
(.2) Such additional funds as may be appropriated annually from the General Fund which are required to fund the Animal Control Agency or its contractors to the extent the Animal Control Agency or its contractors provide services required or authorized under this Chapter.
(b) The Animal Control Fund shall be used to carry out the responsibilities defined by this Chapter relating to animals, including enforcement, licensing, and inspection of facilities regulated by this Chapter, including personal services, purchase of services, and materials, supplies and equipment expended directly by the Animal Control Agency or contracted for by the Animal Control Agency. The Department of Licenses and Inspections shall annually charge the Fund for all direct and indirect costs performed by them pursuant to this Chapter relating to Animals.
(c) If, at the end of any fiscal year, there are funds remaining unspent in the Animal Control Fund, such funds shall be carried over to the next fiscal year; provided, however, that if appropriations from the General Fund have been made to the Animal Control Fund in any year, an amount not to exceed the amount of such appropriations shall be returned to the General Fund at the end of the fiscal year in which a surplus is accrued in the Animal Control Fund.
(3) Animal Advisory Committee. To monitor the provisions and goals of this Chapter, there shall be created the Animal Advisory Committee ("Advisory Committee") to be part of the Office of the Managing Director.
(a) The Advisory Committee shall be chaired by the Managing Director or his designee. One Member of City Council shall be appointed ex officio by the President of City Council. The Mayor shall appoint ten (10) additional members of the Advisory Committee who shall be residents of the City of Philadelphia and those appointments shall be composed as follows:
(.1) Two (2) members shall be appointed as representatives of community organizations;
(.2) Two (2) members shall be appointed as representatives of animal humane societies and animal shelters;
(.3) One (1) member shall be appointed as a representative of private veterinarians or veterinary hospitals;
(.4) Two (2) members shall be appointed as representatives of stables, kennels, or other businesses primarily concerned with animals;
(.5) One (1) member shall be appointed as a representative of the Department of Licenses and Inspections;
(.6) Two (2) members shall be appointed as representatives of animal clubs or organizations.
(b) The Advisory Committee shall have the following responsibilities:
(.1) To advise the Animal Control Agency on matters related to animals and animal control.
(.2) To propose regulations for the implementation, enforcement and administration of the provisions of this Chapter.
(.3) To review, at least every two (2) years, any City contract or contracts relating to animals or animal control, and to make suggestions regarding those contracts to the Animal Control Agency and to the Procurement Department.
(c) The Animal Control Agency shall assemble and furnish to the Advisory Committee, upon request, such records, documents and information on animals and animal control as the Advisory Committee finds necessary for the proper fulfillment of its responsibilities.
(d) The Advisory Committee shall meet at least quarterly, at the call of the Managing Director, or at the call of any five (5) members.
(4) Disclosure and Reporting by Animal Shelters.
(a) Animal Shelters shall keep annual written or electronic records, by species, of the following information regarding animals impounded at each Animal Shelter:
(.1) The number of animals impounded at the Animal Shelter.
(.2) The number of animals that were adopted.
(.3) The number of animals that were transferred to other persons, organizations, or entities for adoption.
(.4) The number of animals reclaimed by their owners.
(.5) The number of animals that died of a cause other than lawful euthanasia.
(.6) The number of animals that escaped or were stolen while under the care of the Animal Shelter.
(.7) The number of animals impounded at the Animal Shelter that were euthanized.
(b) By January 31 of each year, Animal Shelters shall submit to the Animal Control Agency a written report for the prior year of the information required under subsection (4)(a).
(c) Animal Shelters shall post, in every area where animals are relinquished to the Animal Shelter by owners, a sign that is clearly and conspicuously visible and readable from any vantage point in the area, and that is at least 17 inches by 22 inches, which displays all of the information required under subsection (4)(a). The Animal Control Agency may by regulation further specify format, dimensions, and posting requirements consistent with this subsection (4)(c).
Notes
| 9 | Added, 1986 Ordinances, p. 840; amended, Bill No. 110210-A (approved May 25, 2011). |