If you live in the city of Erie and are awakened by a rooster’s cock-a-doodle-doo coming from your neighbor\u2019s property, then there\u2019s good news for you.<\/p>\n
According to the city’s administrative code on farm animals, \u201cNo person shall board, breed, house, keep or maintain any wildlife animal which is protected by Title 50, Code of Federal Regulations<\/a> or otherwise controlled or prohibited by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.\u201d<\/p>\n Title 50 states, \u201cno person shall board, breed, house, keep or maintain any animal which is wild, dangerous, noxious or naturally inclined to do harm in any place, nor any animal usually kept as a farm animal or livestock in the city.\u201d<\/p>\n Gator in the lake: Was leaving an alligator in Lake Erie a crime? Official explains outcomes<\/a><\/p>\n Which animals are considered wild, or farm animals?<\/p>\n The city’s code on wild or farm animals includes the following:<\/p>\n Wild cats and dogs, except domesticated;<\/p>\n Members of the bear family;<\/p>\n Members of the weasel family;<\/p>\n Members of the crocodilian family including alligators, crocodiles, caimans and gharials;<\/p>\n Swine, excluding pot-belly pigs;<\/p>\n And all other mammalian species that are not commonly accepted as domestic animals.<\/p>\n Are there penalties for keeping farm animals in the city?<\/p>\n If a person is caught boarding, breeding, housing, keeping or maintaining any of the previously listed animals in the city, the animal will be seized by the Bureau of Housing, police, firefighters or any person authorized by the public safety director. However, a seven-day warning is sent<\/a> to remove the animals before the owner is cited.<\/p>\n If the owner does not remove the animal, officials will place the creature in a zoological park or humane society.<\/p>\n Anyone that violates will be obligated to reimburse the city in all costs expended by the seizure of the animals.<\/p>\n The violation is a summary offense and is subject to fines and imprisonments no less than $100 but no more than $300 and imprisonment will be no more than 90 days.<\/p>\n Unusual sight: Willow ptarmigan bird travels around Erie County. What brought it to Erie?<\/a><\/p>\n What if the animal is fixed, licensed and vaccinated?<\/p>\n If the owner can prove in writing within 15 days of the citation that the animal is spayed or neutered, licensed and has the proper vaccinations, then the first offense will be reduced to a warning with no penalty.<\/p>\n Contact Nicholas Sorensen at Nsorensen@usatodayco.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n