James Wesser and Sanika Bhargaw
1 month ago
HARRISBURG, Pa. (WHTM) – On Monday, October 23, Governor Josh Shapiro signed Senate Bill 746 into law. According to the administration, this bill updates and amends Pennsylvania’s dog law to improve public safety, improve conditions for dogs in breeding kennels, daycares and shelters, and more.
“This has been a long time coming,” said Nicole Wilson, director of animal enforcement at the Pennsylvania SPCA. “We are very excited for the Bureau (of Dog Law Enforcement) as well as the community as a whole.”
The law makes several changes, including requiring dogs to be licensed at the time they are purchased or adopted, which is legal after eight weeks, or by the time they reach three months of age, whichever comes first. . Persons selling or offering dogs for adoption must also provide a copy of the dog driving license application.
“Pennsylvanians have made it clear that they expect kennels, breeders and shelters to meet high standards,” said Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding. “They want their communities to be safe from stray and dangerous dogs. They want owners to be held accountable when their dog attacks, and they want unscrupulous breeders shut down. The Shapiro Administration, working with both legislative parties, has made common-sense changes to the dog law to keep our communities, our families, and our dogs safe and healthy.
This law also increases annual and lifetime licensing fees for the first time in more than 20 years. This money goes to the Bureau of Dog Law Enforcement.
“The Bureau of Dog Law has been underfunded for several years,” Wilson said, adding that the new influx of funds would help them hire more dog guardians and better serve the community.
The law also doubles the registration fee for keeping a dangerous dog and imposes more responsibility on owners if they fail to comply with the conditions of keeping that dog.
“It allows the owner to incur the expense of housing that animal in a licensed kennel so the community can feel protected,” Wilson said.
The law also includes protections for future dog owners. Kennels must now provide breeder information, vaccination and medical records as well as any bite history.
Republican state Sen. Elder Vogel, who sponsored the bill, told abc27 in a statement, “By doing this, we hope it will help potential new owners make more informed decisions and s ‘ensure that a dog is best suited to a new family.’
The bill enjoyed bipartisan support and was also supported by animal welfare advocates, kennel owners, local law enforcement, county treasurers and others.
“It’s just wonderful to see that both sides of the aisle can come together to improve conditions for dogs in the community (and) in the Commonwealth,” Wilson said.
As stated in the press release, the measures of the updated law are as follows:
- All dogs in Pennsylvania will now be required to be licensed at the time of purchase (legal at eight weeks) or at three months of age, whichever comes first.
- Those selling or offering dogs for adoption will be required to provide a dog license application with the dog.
- The fee for an annual dog license will increase to $8.70 on March 1, 2024 for all dogs. Licenses purchased between December 1, 2023 and March 1, 2024 will be available at the previous rate of $6.70 for sterilized dogs and $8.70 for others.
- The lifetime license fee will increase to $52.70 on March 1, 2024. Lifetime licenses purchased between December 1, 2023 and March 1, 2024 will be available at the previous rate of $31.70 for sterilized animals and 51. $70 for others.
- The law allows Sec. of Agriculture to increase fees again by $2 on December 1, 2025 and by $1 on December 1, 2027.
- Fines for unlicensed dogs will range from $100 to $500, plus court costs.
- Criminal penalties for all other violations of the dog law have increased from $500 to $1,000 for summary offenses and from $1,000 to $5,000 for minor offenses, plus court costs.
- The annual registration to harbor a dangerous dog will increase from $500 to $1,000 for any dog deemed dangerous after 90 days.
- Owners of dogs already declared dangerous and who attack again will need to find and pay for a kennel to house the dog during court proceedings, to ensure the safety of the community until a final decision is made.
- Kennel license fees will increase on March 1, 2024.
- Kennels and shelters that offer dogs for sale or adoption must include their kennel license number in advertisements.
- Kennels selling or adopting retail dogs to the public are responsible for disclosing breeder information, vaccination and medical documentation, as well as any known bites to a human or pet.
- Dogs imported into PA kennels must be isolated for at least 14 days.
The changes to the law will come into force after 90 days.
Most dog owners can obtain a license through their county, but some cities require residents to obtain a license directly from them. In the Midstate, this applies to Harrisburg residents.
In addition to the dog law changes, Governor Shaprio also signed six other bills, some of which include school buses, Pennsylvania residency status for people working in military outposts, and recertification permits for state employees.