Indiana Borough police cited a borough man for animal cruelty yesterday, under the state’s newly-strengthened “Libre’s Law”. Joseph McKendrick was written up for leaving three dogs outside for about four hours in the frigid temperatures in the 1100 block of Chestnut Street.
Under Pennsylvania’s new animal cruelty law, which was signed in June, unsheltered animals cannot be tethered outside for more than thirty minutes when the temperature is above 90 degrees or below 32. The law also requires that animals must be provided sanitary shelter that allows them to maintain normal body temperature and keep dry all year.
There are three categories of abuse under which a pet owner can be charged. “Neglect” is a summary offense, “cruelty” is a misdemeanor, and “aggravated cruelty” is a felony, punishable by up to seven years in jail and/or a $15,000 fine.
The key components of the legislation include:
Improved tethering conditions for outside dogs
- No more than 9 hours tethered in 24-hour period.
- Tether must be the longer of 3 times length of dog or 10 feet.
- No more than 30 minutes in 90+ or -32-degree weather.
- Must have water and shade.
- Must be secured by an appropriate collar — no tow or log chain, nor choke, pinch, prong, or chain collars.
- Tethered space must be clear of excessive waste.
- No open sores or wounds on the dog’s body.
Added protections for horses
- Currently, most crimes against horses are graded as summary offenses — similar to traffic and littering violations.
- This law aligns penalties for crimes against horses with penalties for crimes against dogs and cats.
Increased penalties for animal abuse
- Neglect: Summary offense (up to 90 days in jail and/or a $300 fine) OR misdemeanor of the third degree (up to 1 year in jail and/or $2,000 fine) if neglect causes bodily injury or places the animal at imminent risk
- Cruelty: Misdemeanor of the second degree (up to 2 years in jail and/or a $5,000 fine)
- Aggravated cruelty: Felony of the third degree (up to 7 years in jail and/or a $15,000 fine)
Ensures convicted animal abusers forfeit abused animals to a shelter
- Requires forfeiture of animal of anyone convicted of a felony violation and allows for fortitude upon other convictions.
Grants civil immunity for veterinarians and veterinary technicians
- Shields licensed doctors of veterinary medicine, technicians, and assistants who report animal cruelty in good faith from lawsuits.
