RONALD A. ARNONI, DISTRICT JUDGE District Court 05-2-20 Office: 412-835-1661 Fax: 412-835-4060
Hiras Professional Building 2414 Lytle Rd #200 Bethel Park, PA 15102
We love our pets and consider them part of our family. That is why we need to make sure they are taken care of. The following is some helpful information related to taking care of your pets and some new information regarding Pennsylvania law. Always review your local rules and regulations, since some of the regulations and provisions may be unique to USC as it relates to the care of your best friend. Puppy Mill Forum What do the advertising director of the Pittsburgh PostGazette, executive director of Humane Animal Rescue, and State Representatives Harry Readshaw and Jason Ortitay have in common? They have all joined together in the fight to end puppy mill misery in Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania is currently the fourth worst state for commercial puppy breeders in the country. Humane Action Pittsburgh, a coalition of citizen lobbyists dedicated to animal protection through legislation, policy, and education, has put together a forum in partnership with Spring Point Partners, of influential individuals, including representatives from the Attorney General’s office, Allegheny County District Attorney’s office, Director of the Western Pennsylvania office of the Lieutenant Governor, shelter and rescue directors from across the region, and Allegheny County Treasurer to tackle and solve this important issue. The goals of the foPuppy Mill Forum hopes to redefine rum include redefining minimum breeding standards. minimal breeding standards of dogs, cats, and rabbits, while also creating the most humane model that other states can replicate across the country. This isn’t the first time Pittsburgh has led the way. Humane Action Pittsburgh helped pass Pennsylvania’s first two puppy mill laws in December 2015. Spearheaded by City Council president Bruce Kraus, the spirit of the bill was soon passed in Los Angeles and then the state of California. Now, legislation has come back home where State Representatives Readshaw and Ortitay are championing the bill in the House, while State Senators Tom Killion and Andy Dinniman lead the bill in the Senate. The bill was dubbed “Victoria’s Law” in honor of Victoria, a German shepherd who as a result of overbreeding has a genetic neurological disorder that now leaves her paralyzed. It’s believed she passed this gene along to 150–200 puppies sold in pet stores. Unfortunately, Victoria is by no means an isolated case. The bill would require commercial establishments to sell dogs, cats, and rabbits sourced only from shelters and rescues. The bill would also place restrictions on advertising animals for sale. Inclement Weather With the cold weather behind us, but hot weather soon to come, it’s important for residents to understand dog law as it relates to inclement weather. The following are some facts to consider: 22
UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY
Summer 2019
Let’s Take Care of Our Pets • No dog should be tethered outside for longer than 30 minutes in temperatures below 32 degrees or above 90 degrees. Owners who violate this statute can be cited for neglect. In certain municipalities, like the city of Pittsburgh, Sharpsburg, North Versailles, and Wilkinsburg, this law applies to dogs tethered or untethered. • Regardless of weather, dogs cannot be tethered for more than nine cumulative hours in a 24-hour period. • Tethered dogs must not be surrounded by excess waste or have open sores and they must have access to water and shade. Their tether cannot be a tow or logging chain, and must be at least ten feet long and attached to a well-fitting collar with a swivel (no choke/prong/chain collars allowed). • All dogs must have access to adequate shelter, which is defined as “sufficient to permit the animal to retain body heat and keep the animal dry.” An officer can cite the owner if they find a dilapidated, damp, and/or uninsulated structure, and/or the dog appears to be in distress. • If a dog lacks appropriate shelter or is exposed in extreme weather, a humane or police officer can cite the owner and seize the dog. • Public safety professionals can remove a dog or cat from an unattended motor vehicle if they believe the animal is in imminent danger, without fear of liability for damages to the vehicle or its contents. A reasonable search for the owner must first take place and the public safety professional must leave behind a note telling the owner where the pet can be picked up. If you are aware of violations, phone your local humane officer or dial 911. Remember to lawfully document the situation as best you can. Photographs with recorded dates and times are very helpful to law enforcement. If your local police department is unfamiliar with any of these laws, have them contact Humane Action Pittsburgh, who can help facilitate training free of charge to the department on the area’s animal cruelty codes. Licensing As a dog owner, it’s important to license your dogs. Not only is it the law to license every dog you own, but if your pet goes missing, having it licensed will drastically improve your chances of having it returned safely. In fact, Allegheny County sells more licenses than any other county in Pennsylvania and has reunited thousands of lost dogs with their families as a result of this effective program. When County Treasurer John Weinstein first took office in 1999, only about 44,000 dogs in the county had licenses (not including the City of Pittsburgh, which licenses dogs separately). Today, that number has grown to 120,000. As citizens of Allegheny County, we are fortunate to have a County Treasurer’s office that makes licensing easy. Go to the Allegheny County website, where you can find an online application and even apply for a lifetime license. Leash Laws Pennsylvania is one of only two states that requires a dog to be under the control of his or her owner when not on the owner’s premises. Pennsylvania law declares that it is unlawful for a dog
