Bethlehem, PA Animal Ordinances: Dog Leash Laws (2026)

Bethlehem's local dog rules sit in two places. Article 709 (Dogs) of the General Offenses Code addresses dogs disturbing the peace and provides the local restraint and barking hook, while Section 1159.12 of Article 1159 (Animals) requires that every dog kept in the City be properly licensed under state law. The Codified Ordinances at https://www.bethlehem-pa.gov/ordinances list these articles and Section 1159.05 establishes the City Animal Control Officer. Tethering of unattended dogs is governed by the Pennsylvania floor under Libre's Law amendments at 18 Pa.C.S. Section 5533, which sets limits on tether duration, anchor type, collar standards, and weather conditions — Bethlehem applies the state floor and can stack stricter local nuisance citations where conditions worsen. The Pennsylvania Dog Law at 3 P.S. Section 459-101 et seq. (https://www.animallaw.info/statute/pa-dog-law-chapter-8-dogs-consolidated-dog-laws) requires every dog three months or older to be licensed annually by January 1 through the county treasurer; Bethlehem straddles Lehigh County (treasurer at 17 South 7th Street, Allentown) and Northampton County (treasurer in Easton), so a Bethlehem dog is licensed through whichever county the owner's residence sits in. Standard PA dog license fees are $8.50/year spayed-neutered and $10.50/year intact, with senior and disabled discounts and a $51.50 lifetime option for microchipped dogs. Sheltering and stray response in Bethlehem is contracted with the Lehigh Valley Humane Society at 640 Dixon Street, Allentown (610-797-1205, https://lehighvalleyhumanesociety.org/), working with the City Animal Control Officer.