Animal Ordinances in Reading, PA (2026)

Reading Codified Ordinances § 600-2202 (Pets definition)

Livestock, including but not limited to, horses, cows, goats, chickens and other poultry and fowl, indigenous or exotic wild animals such as opossums, skunks, raccoons, squirrels, and endangered, threatened and protected species, are strictly prohibited. See Chapter 141, Animals, of the Code of the City of Reading.    PLACE OF WORSHIP — A building or group of buildings that is primarily used fo...

Reading Codified Ordinances § 141-209(B)

Any dog, while on a street, sidewalk, public way or in any park, public square, or other public space, or upon any private property without the consent of the owner, shall be secured by a leash or chain of sufficient tensile strength to restrain the particular dog, or shall be at heel and securely muzzled.    C.   No owner or custodian of any animal shall fail to exercise proper care and contro...

Reading Codified Ordinances § 141-216(A)

Upon receiving a complaint directed to the Reading Police Department, the Animal Control Officer or any other authorized representative of the City, the Animal Control Officer or the City Police shall make a determination as to whether the dog which is the subject of a complaint shall be determined and deemed to be an aggressive dog, or whether any other animal which is the subject of a complai...

Reading Codified Ordinances § 141-214(A)

It shall be unlawful in any dwelling unit for a person to harbor, house, own, or possess more than six cats, or more than six dogs, or a combination of more than six such animals, over the age of three months without registration with the City Property Maintenance Division, or designated Animal Control Officer and the issuance of a permit.    B.   The application for such permit shall be on a f...