Millcreek, PA Animal Ordinances: Breed Restrictions (2026)

Section 8-6 of the Millcreek Township Code, added 5-10-2022 by Ord. No. 2022-5, is the Township's entire dog-specific provision, and it works by reference. Subsection A says all dogs in the Township must be licensed pursuant to the Pennsylvania Dog Law, 3 P.S. § 459-101 et seq. Subsection B says a dangerous dog shall be restrained and kept in accordance with the same Dog Law, and that dogs may be euthanized only in accordance with the Dog Law's requirements. The Township prints no breed list, no breed ban, and no standalone dangerous dog definition or declaration procedure in Chapter 8; the standards it applies are those of the Dog Law it cites.

Other Chapter 8 rules still bind the owner of any dog, including a dog considered dangerous. Section 8-2A requires the owner to keep the animal under restraint at all times and never let it run at large, and lets the Animal Resource-Code Enforcement Officer seize a dog found at large. Section 8-2B requires the owner, on the owner's own property, to control or restrain the animal so it cannot attack or threaten any person legitimately coming onto the property or on an adjacent sidewalk, street or lot. Section 8-5 requires rabies inoculation under Pennsylvania law, with certification shown on request.

Enforcement is split between two agencies. Section 8-7E authorizes the Millcreek Township Police Department and the Township's Animal Resource-Code Enforcement Officer to enforce the article, the Pennsylvania Dog Law and the Rabies Prevention and Control in Domestic Animals and Wildlife Act. Cases go before a Magisterial District Judge as summary offenses under § 8-7F.