The City’s Animal Control Officer shall have the authority to announce/call a Code Blue, relating to extreme cold, or Code Red, relating to extreme heat, requiring the owners of dogs to protect the unattended dog from the extreme heat or cold by bringing the dog into the place where the owner or person who has custody, control or possession of the dog resides.
(1) A Code Blue may be called by the Animal Control Officer when the National Weather Service (NWS) predicts a wind chill temperature of 20° F. or below or precipitation with temperatures below 32° F.
(2) A Code Red may be called by the Animal Control Officer when the National Weather Service (NWS) predicts a heat index at 95° F. or above.
(3) The Animal Control Officer shall announce the declaration of the Code Blue or Code Red on its website, to all local media outlets, and to the social media outlets it regularly uses to communicate with the public. A minimum of eight hours’ notice shall be provided to Reading residents.
(4) In addition to the requirements of the Pa. Code animal regulations as per Subsection 141-206 A herein, any person who owns or has possession, custody or control of a dog shall not allow the animal to remain unattended outdoors (except for brief walks and brief periods of exercise) whenever a Code Blue or Code Red weather emergency has been declared by the City’s Animal Control Officer.
(5) If the City’s Animal Control Officer finds that any person who owns or has possession, custody or control of a dog has not complied with the regulations herein, the City’s Animal Control Officer shall have the ability to impound the dog, as per § 141-217, Impoundment, Part 6.
(6) Upon impoundment, the City’s Animal Control Officer shall follow the procedures in § 141-218, Impoundment notice to owner and redemption.
(7) Any person in violation of this Part shall be subject to the provisions of § 141-225, Violations and penalties, herein.