CPAA: Animal Welfare

Central Pennsylvania Animal Alliance

Creating a no-kill community ... together

Animal Welfare

House Bill 73 – Banning Live Pigeon Shoots

House Bill 73 amends Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, by adding a definition and subsection banning live pigeon shoots. Click here for a copy of the latest version of the bill, its history, and current status.

House Bill 1065 – Limited Tethering Legislation for Dogs

House Bill 1065 amends Title 18 (Crimes Code) Section 5511 (Cruelty to animals) by adding a section that makes it a summary offense to tether a dog outside and unattended to any stationary object by the use of a restraint between the hours of 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. In addition, the bill provides that it is a summary offense if there is a failure to satisfy any of the following:

Placing or attaching the tether so that the dog cannot become entangled with other objects and in such a manner as to allow the dog to roam the full range of the tether. No tow chains may be used.
Attaching the tether by means of a well-fitted collar or body harness that will not cause trauma or injury to the dog. No choke, pinch, prong, or other chain collar may be used. The tether must be a minimum of six feet long or at least five times the length of the dog as measured from the tip of the nose to the base of its tail, whichever is longer, and must allow the dog convenient and unfettered access to shelter and food and water containers.
While tethered, the dog must be provided with protection from the direct rays of the sun, and at least one area of shade other than the shelter must be provided.

A person convicted of a summary offense under this section is subject to a fine of not less than $50 nor more than $750 or to imprisonment for not more than 90 days, or both. In addition, conviction may also result in forfeiture of the dog.

Exceptions to the offense include:

Tethering a dog while training for an activity that is conducted pursuant to a valid license issued by the commonwealth if the activity for which the license is issued is associated with the use or presence of a dog.
Tethering a dog while engaged in conduct related to the business of shepherding or herding cattle or livestock.
Tethering a dog while engaged in conduct related to the business of cultivating agricultural products if the restraint is reasonably necessary for the safety of the dog.
Tethering a dog pursuant to the requirements of a camping or recreational area.

Click here for a copy of the latest version of the bill, its history, and current status.

Senate Bill 366 – Defining "Companion Animal" in Divorce

Senate Bill 366 amends Title 23 (Domestic Relations) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated States, further providing, in divorce, for legislative findings and intent, defining “companion animal”; and further providing for effect of agreement between parties and for equitable division of marital property. Click here for a copy of the latest version of the bill, its history, and current status.

Proposed Kennel Regulations

Click here to read the Independent Regulatory Review Commission's comments on the proposed regulations and to learn about the next step in the process. (Click on Department of Agriculture, Regulation Number 2-152.)

Revised 09/02/2007