Animal advocates are jumping for joy after Gov. Tom Wolf signed a bill this week that places stricter penalties on individuals who abuse animals.
“I think it’s a fabulous bill for the commonwealth to protect the animals we are responsible for,” said JoAnne Smith, shelter medical manager and humane officer in Elk County.
The overhaul bill includes mandatory forfeiture of the abused animal to an animal shelter if the abuser is convicted; increased protection for horses; civil immunity for veterinarians, veterinarian technicians and humane society police officers to prevent frivolous lawsuits against these professionals when reporting animal cruelty in good faith; and stipulations to dog tethering.
The anti-tethering part of the bill would require public education, she said. The bill states that tethering an unattended dog outdoors for less than nine hours within a 24-hour period would not constitute a violation as long as the dog has access to potable water and an area of shade and that the canine has not been tethered for longer than 30 minutes in temperatures above 90 degrees or below 32 degrees, among other stipulations.
“Today is a day of celebration for opportunity for all Pennsylvanians, and animal-lovers everywhere, and I am proud to be a part of the true collaboration that helped make this landmark legislation a reality,” Wolf said in a statement.
Smith called the signing a landmark move for animals.
“The penalties are increasing. The fines are increasing,” she said, noting the bill allows police officers and humane officers to have more leverage in making sure animals are properly cared for.
The law is very clear as to what constitutes a violation, said George Sowers Jr., Cameron County Humane Society officer, president of the Cameron County SPCA and Emporium Borough dog officer.
“It does give us more authority and more rights for the animals,” Sowers said.
The law is clear on what authority animal advocates have, he said, noting the changes are bringing Pennsylvania in line with other states across the country.
Pennsylvania SPCA spokeswoman Gillian Kocher said the law was a long time in coming.
“With a long history of protecting animals, dating back to our founding in 1867, we are thrilled to have the opportunity to enforce laws with stricter penalties for first time offenders, clearer guidelines on what constitutes cruelty and it’s level, as well as better protections for our own humane law enforcement officers,” she said. “We hope that this is just the beginning of improving protections for animals in our state, following the example states before us have provided.”
McKean County SPCA Executive Director Chris Taylor did not immediately return a call seeking comment.
