Animal Abuse prevention efforts enter critical stage

There is an old adage that you can learn a great deal about an individual’s character by their treatment of others. I believe this principle applies not only to how we treat people, but also the innocent and vulnerable animals who need our love and support.

The multi-year effort to strengthen Pennsylvania’s animal abuse laws reached a high point last week with passage of sweeping legislation that combines some of the most important and popular pet protection measures that have been introduced in the General Assembly during the past two years.

The bill makes numerous improvements to existing law, including creating a new definition and classification of animal abuse to ensure offenders receive tougher punishments; prohibiting prolonged tethering of animals without access to shelter and water, or during periods of extreme weather; adding horses to the list of animals included under Pennsylvania’s animal protection laws; and providing for the forfeiture of animals who are abused.

Getting these proposals through the Senate has been a struggle, and I am grateful that my colleagues joined me last week in taking a stand to prevent animal cruelty. Now the fight moves to the House of Representatives, where time is of the essence; only three session days remain on the legislative calendar.

With the end of the legislative session looming, failure to earn final approval in the House means that we have to start all over again next year. It has never been more important for animal lovers to call, write and email their representatives to make our voices heard. We are incredibly close to doing a world of good for innocent animals, but all of that progress will be for naught if we don’t get these bills through the House this week.

These pet protection measures only earned Senate approval last week due to the overwhelming support of animal lovers across the state, and they will only be brought up for a vote in the House of Representatives if those advocates redouble their efforts and demand action. I urge all advocates to join me in imploring our representatives to finish the great work we started.

-State Sen. Rich Alloway