Going to The Dogs in PA!

Dogs in PA need your help! Check out these action alerts from the ASPCA:

PA: House Recessed--Puppy Mill Reform Bills on Hold till Autumn

PA HB 2525 & PA HB 2532—Changes to the Dog Law and Cruelty Law
Sponsor(s): Rep. James Casorio and more than 90 cosponsors; Rep. Thomas Caltagirone and more than 70 cosponsors.
ASPCA Position: Support
Action Needed: None at this time.

Update, 7/07/08: In the final days of the PA General Assembly’s extended legislative session before adjourning for summer recess, certain Republican representatives introduced over 100 frivolous amendments to HB 2525 to stall the bill and prevent it from being voted on by the full House. Their efforts worked. However, the fight is not over—the bill will be voted on in the fall when the Assembly reconvenes. We will also be launching a big campaign to bring both bills to the PA Senate at that time. Please stay tuned and keep checking back all summer—we will be updating you and letting you know how you can help.

Pennsylvania, Urge House to Pass Strong Tethering Restrictions

PA HB 1065—Tethering Restrictions
Sponsor(s): Rep. Mario Scavello
ASPCA Position: Support
Action Needed: Please call your state representative to request support for the original, unamended version of HB 1065.

Pennsylvania State Rep. Mario Scavello (R-Monroe County) and other legislators have sponsored HB 1065, a bill prohibiting the tethering of dogs between the hours of 10:00 P.M. and 6:00 A.M. and restricting tethering during the day. HB 1065 has been reported out of the Judiciary Committee. It will likely be reviewed by the Appropriations Committee, and then voted on by the full Pennsylvania House of Representatives.

As you may know, tethering—also known as chaining—is cruel to dogs and dangerous for people. Tethering exposes dogs to injury by other animals, people, extreme weather conditions and the tether/chain itself. By isolating these social animals from their packs and depriving them of the ability to flee from perceived threats, tethering creates anxious, frustrated, aggressive dogs. In fact, tethered dogs are almost three times more likely to bite and are responsible for a substantial percentage of fatal attacks.

Cities and states around the country—including Texas—have enacted laws significantly limiting tethering, in many cases banning the practice altogether. Lawrence, KS, has drastically reduced cruelty and dog fighting complaints by enacting an ordinance prohibiting the tethering of a dog for longer than one hour.

What You Can Do
Some amendments have been proposed to HB 1065 that would significantly dilute its impact.

Please call your state representative to urge support for the original, unamended version of HB 1065. You can look up your representative’s phone number here. When calling, politely remind your representative of the significant threat that tethering poses to the welfare of both people and dogs.

More information on animal advocacy issues can also be found by visiting the website of Main Line Animal Rescue . Sign up for other alerts on the ASPCA website

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