Gov. Wolf signs animal cruelty prevention bill

HARRISBURG, Pa. — Gov. Tom Wolf signed an animal cruelty prevention bill Wednesday at a public celebration.

Act 10, House Bill 1238 was introduced by Rep. Todd Stephens. It updates and clarifies the existing animal abuse statutes as well as increases the penalties for abusing animals.

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“I am proud to sign the Animal Abuse Statute Overhaul into effect today, strengthening the penalty for animal abuse and neglect in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania,” said Wolf in a release. “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.”

Included in the overhaul bill is:

• Mandatory forfeiture of the abused animal to an animal shelter if the abuser is convicted
• Stipulations to dog tethering
• 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

“Today we are sending a clear message that Pennsylvania will not tolerate animal cruelty in our state and will punish offenders to the fullest extent of the law,” Stephens said in a release. “This is the most comprehensive animal protection bill in the Commonwealth’s history and would not have been possible without the determined efforts of my colleagues in the House and Senate, the Governor and the thousands of advocates who contacted their elected officials expressing their support for the bill.”

The bill will take effect in 60 days.

Cox Media Group