Reading does not have a breed-specific ordinance and cannot enact one. Pennsylvania's Dog Law at 3 P.S. Section 459-507-A(c) preempts local breed bans: a local ordinance otherwise dealing with dogs may not prohibit or otherwise limit a specific breed of dog. Reading regulates dangerous behavior on an individual-dog basis under Code Section 141-216 (aggressive dog, vicious animal, and dangerous dog determination/permit), aligned with the state dangerous-dog statute at 3 P.S. Section 459-502-A.
Pennsylvania has had statutory preemption of breed-specific local ordinances since the Dangerous Dog Act amendments. Section 459-507-A(c) at https://codes.findlaw.com/pa/title-3-ps-agriculture/pa-st-sect-3-459-507-a.html states that a local ordinance otherwise dealing with dogs may not prohibit or otherwise limit a specific breed of dog, and abrogates earlier conflicting local ordinances. Reading, as a Third Class City, is bound by this state-level limit on its police power and has not enacted any breed-specific list. Reading's Code Section 141-216 at https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/readingpa/latest/reading_pa/0-0-0-6514 instead regulates dogs by behavior: any owner of an aggressive dog, vicious animal, or dangerous dog must register the animal with the Reading Property Maintenance Division, pay a registration fee set in Chapter 212, and obtain a permit to keep the dog. The state Dangerous Dog Act at 3 P.S. Section 459-502-A (https://codes.findlaw.com/pa/title-3-ps-agriculture/pa-st-sect-3-459-502-a/) defines 'dangerous dog' based on attacks causing severe injury, attacks without provocation, killing or maiming a domestic animal, or being used in commission of a crime β never by breed. Pit bulls, Rottweilers, German shepherds, Doberman pinschers, and similar breeds receive the same legal treatment as any other dog in Reading. Insurance discrimination by breed is also limited under Section 459-507-A.
Because breed-specific local ordinances are state-preempted, no Reading citation can be issued solely based on a dog's breed. Behavior-based dangerous-dog citations under 3 P.S. Section 459-502-A are summary offenses for an initial unprovoked attack and grade up to misdemeanors and felonies for severe attacks. Failing to register an aggressive or dangerous dog under Reading Code Section 141-216 carries fines from $100 to $1,000 plus permit revocation. Owners must also maintain at least $50,000 in liability insurance and a secure enclosure once a dog is adjudicated dangerous.
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See how Reading's breed restrictions rules stack up against other locations.
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