Demand New Animal Cruelty Laws in Pennsylvania Now!

In Pennsylvania, pets are viewed as personal property. Animal Cruelty officers are only able to enforce what laws we have in place.

Under the CRIMES CODE (18 PA.C.S.) Act of Jun. 28, 2017, a person commits an offense of Animal Neglect if the following conditions are not met:
(1) Necessary sustenance and potable water
(2) Access to clean and sanitary
shelter and protection from the weather
The shelter must be sufficient to permit
the animal to retain body heat and keep
the animal dry.
(3)Necessary veterinary care.
(b)Grading
(1)Except as set forth in paragraph
(2), a violation of this section is a summary offense.
(2) If the violation causes bodily
injury to the animal or places the animal
at imminent risk of serious bodily injury
a violation of this section is a
misdemeanor of the third degree.

This PA law does not advocate for animals the way it should. What we want are stronger animal cruelty laws, especially in regards to what Pennsylvania legislation considers to be Neglect of an Animal.

Animals who live outside 24/7 should be given space for adequate exercise in their enclosure. If this cannot be provided, the owner must allow for a exercise each day. Animals should have access to water at ALL times. In colder temperatures, water must be not be frozen. Animals' appropriate weight-based nutrition should be met. Proof of veterinary visits, licensing, vaccinations and preventative medications should be required. Proper hygiene of the animal must be met (nail clippings, baths, no sign of fleas, ticks or other parasites). In temperatures at or below 30 degrees, a shelter that lacks sufficient heating is not acceptable. Animals must be provided a warm, dry area in their enclosure. If enclosure does not have any shade (not including dog houses), owner must provide shade to part of the enclosure to help the animal get relief from the sun. Please note that dog houses do not protect from the heat during the daylight hours when temperatures are above 80 degrees Fahrenheit. At higher temperatures, dog houses can feel like an oven. Dog houses/shelters must be sturdy and ventilated, but also protect the animal from rain, snow and other inclement weather. In the event of severe weather, animals must be in or relocated to a well protected environment until is it safe to return them to their dwelling. Shelters are not to be placed/built on surfaces that can burn/injure animals' feet. If flooring is made from a material that retains heat or cold, a protective barrier must be provided to avoid injury to the animal. Metal grates are not acceptable as flooring for cages, crates, etc. Nothing in the pen or enclosure must pose a safety risk to the animal. If it does, the item(s) must be removed immediately.

We all know that summers are getting hotter and winters are getting colder. If you are a pet owner, it is YOUR responsibility to care for an animal. Neglect IS animal cruelty. If you can't meet these requirements, you should not have an animal.  Offenders should be added to an Animal Cruelty Registry so that they cannot be allowed to have another animal.  

This petition will be sent to our state representatives to encourage them to pass new legislation on the matter. Let's do better, PA! Please sign for a better future for animals. Thank you!!!

*UPDATE: I HAVE EMAILED OUR LOCAL REPRESENTATIVES.  LET'S HOPE THAT THIS PETITION MAKES AN IMPACT AND THAT OUR LAWMAKERS ADVOCATE FOR ANIMALS/PASS NEW LEGISLATION INVOLVING ANIMAL CRUELTY.