New Bills to Change PA Dog and Cruelty Laws are Here
Given the Amendments Approved by the Legislature
The PFDC Can Live with House Bill 2525
The Rendell Administration's latest legislative proposal intended to address substandard commercial kennels is in print. The Cruelty Law changes were House Bill 2532 and House Bill 449, but it seems unlikely they will pass out of the PA Senate this session. The Dog Law changes are House Bill 2525. Here is a summary of the final version of HB2525 as analyzed by our Legislative Chairman, Julian Prager.
Now we need to watch for the Regulations that will be proposed to flesh out the new Dog Law
On Wednesday, May 7, 2008 we received word from the IRRC that the 2006 regulations had been officially withdrawn. If you would still like to read them, here is the text of the Dec. 2006 proposed changes to the PA Kennel Regulations.
This bill amends the Regulatory Review Act by requiring that data used be "Acceptable data" defined as "empirical, replicable and testable data as evidenced in supporting documentation, statistics, reports, studies or research." Please see the PA Builders Association letter campaign to press for passage of this common sense legislation.
PFDC Very Pleased by Ruling Striking Down Reading de facto Breed Ban
The Pennsylvania Federation of Dog Clubs applauds the PA Court of Appeals on its ruling striking down the agressive breed provisions of the Reading Animal Control Ordinance. The Court basically ruled that the PA Dog Law prohibition of municiple ordiances that ban a breed trumps the Reading Ordinance. This section of the PA Dog Law is fundamental to us, and is something we will fight with all we have to protect. We congratulate the Berks County Kennel Club, the Humane Society of Berks County and the American Dog Owners Association for prevailing on this matter in the Courts. We are terribly disappointed by the City of Reading's appeal of this decision. We have offered to work with the City and these other organizations on finding ways to use the PA Dog Law and its Dangerous Dog provisions to address the dog bites occuring in their jurisdiction.
PFDC Opposes PA Tethering Bill
This is not a local effort.
The American Kennel Club Legislative Department is tracking a number of similar proposals in numerous states which leads us to believe that national, animal rights organizations are prompting these proposals. They ask citizens of various jurisdictions to actually approach their Legislators to get the proposals introduced as Bills. We basically do not support punishing responsible dog owners for the criminal actions of irresponsible dog owners.
Go to our Legislative Page to read our full statement on HB 1065.
PFDC Opposes Pet Limits as Missing the Point
Many communities throughout our country try to deal with issues of animal cruelty and irresponsible pet ownership by limiting the number of pets its citizens may keep. The PA Federation of Dog Clubs agrees with a handful of court decisions a crossed the country that conclude such laws miss the mark. They punish responsible, law-abiding citizens in an effort to deal with the irresponsible and lawless. In general, the courts have seen no evidence provided by the government leaders in these cases that an arbitrary numeric limit solves the issue intended. In fact, the plaintiffs in these cases have shown data from the communities own animal control officers that many who are repeatedly cited for animal cruelty, allowing their animals to roam at large, and harboring dangerous dogs, have fewer than the limit would allow. They have also shown that those in dog and cat clubs in the community, who have more than the designated limit, are not on record for these violations. Further, those that participate in civic minded kennel and cat clubs are often the ones who step forward to help with the animal control issues in their communities. For these reason, and many more, the PA Federation of Dog Clubs asks those currently considering pet limit laws, to listen to the counterproposals being offered. The kennel and cat clubs in your communities have the knowledgeable and caring people who can make a difference, and make it a better place to live for all.
PA Forms State Animal Response Team (SART)
PA dog clubs invited to participate via the PA Federation of Dog Clubs.
Emergency planning officials in Pennsylvania have recognized the need to include animals in their planning. Weather the emergency starts with animals, such as outbreaks of highly contagious diseases among agricultural animals, or the animals are caught up in disasters, we need to have a plan in place in advance. Read more about this effort, and how you can help. PA SART is a 501c3 organization so donations are tax deductable.
Communications with PFDC Member Clubs
The PFDC Board of Directors has decided that e-mail will be the primary form of communications with member clubs. We currently do not have an Newsletter Editor and volunteers are welcomed. The PFDC has a moderated e-mail distribution group set up with Yahoogroups. Every member of a member club who wishes to be included in the PFDC email list should contact Darin Cox, PFDC@paonline.com, and ask to be added to the list.
THE PUPPY LEMON LAW IS NOW THE LAW OF PENNSYLVANIA!!! The Governor signed the legislation June 25, 1997. Act 27 of 1997 took effect August 24, 1997.
If you do not receive information about the Dog Purchaser Protection Act when you buy your puppy from a licensed kennel or if you do not see information about the Law posted in a place selling puppies, you should immediately contact the PA Attorney General's Office, Consumer Protection Division at 800-441-2555. Then, please drop us a note to let us know your experience with the new Law. You may also call the Consumer Protection Division for a copy of their brochure Facts for Puppy Buyers. PA Licensed Veterinarians can contact the office for a copy of their brochure Facts for Veterinarians.
The Dog Purchaser Protection proposal was reintroduced in the 1997 session by PA Senator Stewart Greenleaf (R-Montgomery) as Senate Bill 182. Representative Pat Carone's (R-Butler) companion bill (HB386) in the PA House of Representatives passed the full House by an overwhelming majority on March 18! S.182 passed the full Senate unanimously on May 13, and passed the House Consumer Affairs Committee in early June. Apparently, the entire House passed S.182 on Wednesday, June 11. The Governor put his signature to it on June 25, 1997. Congratulations to Senator Greenleaf and all the dog people of PA who worked so hard for this day!! Here is the text of Act 27 as signed by the Governor.
Cocoa Shell Mulch Warning
Some "environmentally friendly" garden mulches may contain cocoa shells and the shells have a high content of theobromine -- the active ingredient in chocolate which is poisonous to dogs. There has already been one report of a dog dying after ingesting a small quantity of mulch and reportedly one manufacturer has been ordered to place a larger warning on its packaging. At least one mfg. currently has a small warning on its bags that the mulch could cause "stomach upset" in pets.
or write to us at 4902 Quarry Row, Lafayette Hill, PA 19444
Purposes of the Federation
To monitor all State and Local legislation concerning dogs and dog owners
To bring such legislation to the attention of the general public and member clubs
To educate the general public concerning the enjoyment of dog activities and the importance of obtaining dogs from reputable sources
To use all legal means to promote the general welfare of dogs and dog owners
Facts about the Federation
The Federation was founded in 1970 to benefit dogs and dog owners in the state of Pennsylvania. It is now composed of over 100 member clubs that sponsor a great variety of dog related activities including showing, training, rescue work, sled dog racing, field work, herding, agility and pet therapy. These clubs count many thousands of people among their members.
Legislation - We constantly monitor state and local laws that pertain to dogs, to dog owners and to purchasers of dogs. We worked for the passage of the Dog Law (Act 225) of 1982, the Rabies Law of 1987 and the Dangerous Dog Law of 1990, among many others. The Federation held a seat on the Dog Law Advisory Board for 24 years before Governor Rendell's election-year publicity stunt of firing the legally constituted version.
Breeder Referral. We publish an annual Directory of private breeders who are members of our member clubs. This Directory is widely distributed throughout the state. Our Information Committee makes referrals through the Directory and consults over the phone or by e-mail with people who have questions about the various breeds. For a copy send $5 to Sandy Krieger, PA Federation of Dog Clubs, Inc., 1020 Neyhart Road, Stroudsburg, PA 18360. Members of PFDC member clubs can get a form to apply to be listed and pay for it via PayPal.
Education - We support symposiums on the most advanced aspects of veterinary medicine and care by our member clubs. We also provide materials for distribution by member clubs to people just learning about dogs. A high priority is to educate people and to encourage them to participate. Our knowledgeable volunteers are always available to help people with individual problems related to dogs.
Member Club Newsletter Contest - Again in 2007 the PFDC will hold a contest for newsletters published by member clubs. It is not too late to submit your club's newsletter. If you have been mailing your newsletters to the PFDC Secretary, please send your next issues along to: Virginia Van Doren, 323 Van Brunt Street, Moscow, PA 18444. Submissions can be made until the end of August 2005 and awards will be made at the annual meeting in September. Multiple submission are not only permitted but definitely encouraged.
Legislation - We constantly monitor state and local laws that pertain to dogs, to dog owners and to purchasers of dogs. We worked for the passage of the Dog Law (Act 225) of 1982, the Rabies Law of 1987 and the Dangerous Dog Law of 1990, among many others. The Federation held a seat on the Dog Law Advisory Board for 24 years before Governor Rendell's election-year publicity stunt of firing the legally constituted version.
NAIA Trust for the protection of Animals, Animal Owners and Animal Enterprises
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We are proud to have been named Pennsylvania Site of the Day for February 1, 1997!
