New Whitehall ordinance restricts ‘nuisance animals'

WHITEHALL, Pa. — A new ordinance in a local community is designed to control “nuisance animals.”

The Borough of Whitehall passed the ordinance, which reads in part: “No person shall keep...a domestic pet…so as to create offensive odors, excessive noise or unsanitary conditions which are a menace to the health, comfort, or safety of the public.”

The ordinance limits what animals are allowed within the borough, prohibiting horses, cows, goats, guinea pigs, chickens and bees among others.

Limitations have also been placed on where owners can allow their animals to defecate, requiring permission from property owners.

According to the ordinance, Whitehall residents are not allowed to spread items such as bird seed, animal food and food crumbs on the ground that would create or invite a “state of infestation.”

Noise issues are also addressed. Frequent noise created by animals, such as dogs barking, could leave owners with a fine to pay.

Under the ordinance, if an animal is known to have been noisy or to have created an odor for more than a half hour, on just one occasion, it’s presumed a nuisance.

The ordinance went into effect last week.

WPXI