HARRISBURG, Pa. (EYT) – Pennsylvanians are being urged to contact their State Representatives in order to pass a package of animal abuse protection legislation through the House before end of the session.
House Bill 869, originally sponsored by State Rep. Ryan Bizzarro (D — part of Erie County), would amend the commonwealth’s cruelty statue and require convicted animal abusers to forfeit custody of their pets.
The bill passed through the House unanimously on April 5, but was amended to include Senate Bill 1372 (Libre’s Law), Senate Bill 294 (Cordelia’s Law) and inclement weather and tethering regulations. The amended bill passed through Senate unanimously on October 19.
According to Humane PA, Libre’s Law, named for a puppy that recovered from severe neglect in Lancaster County, would create a new offense of Aggravated Cruelty to Animals and would establish stiffer penalties for extreme animal abuse cases. In cases of causing severe bodily harm to an animal, the offense would be classified as a felony under the new law.
Cordelia’s Law would put crimes against horses in the state’s animal cruelty statute on par with crimes against dogs and cats and would provide additional protection for guide dogs.
The bill is supported by 100 percent of House Democrats and 50 percent of House Republicans.
Debbie McAndrew, Jefferson County Humane Officer, said it will take the passing of HB 849 in order to change peoples’ opinions of animal abuse.
“It’s going to take people being found guilty and severely punished for people to truly say, ‘Wow, this is what could happen to me,'” said McAndrew, who also oversees Clarion County in cases of animal emergency situations.
She said the majority of animal abuse cases she sees result in summary charges. Under a summary charge, convicted persons receive a fine of $50.00 to $750.00 and up to 90 days in jail.
According to a WSKG News report, Pennsylvania, Mississippi and Iowa are the only three states without such legislation.
McAndrew stated that the only felony charge that exists in Pennsylvania in the case of animal abuse applies to animal fighting or the torture of a police animal. The penalty for those charges would result in a maximum $15,000.00 fine and up to seven years in jail.
Debbie Stephens, secretary of the Tri-County Animal Rescue Center, said she wants to see the bill pass due to its stricter penalties against animal abuse.
“Right now, people basically get a slap on the wrist. Most animal abuse is a summary offense, which is like a traffic ticket,” Stephens commented.
While WSKG News reported that Governor Tom Wolf has indicated he would sign the bill, it has been deemed unlikely that the bill will pass through the House before the end of the year.
According to the report, House GOP Spokesman Stephen Miskin said the legislature has not voted on any major House bills after an election in a decade.
If HB 849 is not passed, it will have to be reintroduced when the next session starts in January.
(Photo courtesy of Tri-County Animal Rescue Center)
