After receiving reports last fall of free roaming, vicious dogs terrorizing a N. Cedar Crest Boulevard. neighborhood, South Whitehall commissioners asked staff to strengthen the township ordinance relating to the issue.

At the April 1 meeting, a new dog control ordinance was presented to the board by Solicitor Joseph Zator.

"This updates the current ordinance with some enforcement provisions not on township books now," Zator said. "This is a list of things you can do legally, if you should choose to do so."

The ordinance specifies dogs cannot be running at large.

This is defined as a dog unaccompanied by its keeper on property other than that belonging to its owner.

Commissioners asked about a directive requiring dogs to be on a leash away from their home property.

"We are not entitiled to say a dog must be on a leash," Zator said. "It is a violation of state law."

Commissioner David Bond commented on the matter.

"I'm disappointed," Bond said. "It's not doing anything different if the dog isn't in control."

The document specifies it is the duty of every police officer to seize and detain a dog running at large and the owner must then be notified by registered or certified mail.

If the dog is not claimed after five days, it may be sold or given to a humane organization, which for South Whitehall is the Sanctuary at Haafsville.

Commissioner Glenn Block questioned the idea of selling an unclaimed dog.

Zator said the township would not have to do so. It's just another option on the record.

Township Manager Howard Kutzler said neither equipment nor an animals is sold without board approval.

Police may kill a dog considered a threat to public health and welfare without being held liable for damages.

The penalty for violating the ordinance is from $100 to $1,000 and the dog's owner must also pay costs of prosecution and may be imprisioned up to 90 days.

Zator said enforcement cannot distinguish be-tween breeds of dogs. He said a chihuahua, a pit bull and all other dogs are to be treated equally in the ordinance.

Zator recognized commissioners' comments favoring some stricter rules.

"This is better than what's on the books now," he said. "It's what the state allows."

The measure was adopted 3-2.

Commissioners Block, Tom Jones and Christina "Tori" Morgan voted in favor. Bond and Dale Daubert voted against the ordinance.