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The Independent Charities Seal of Excellence is awarded to the members of Independent Charities of America and Local Independent Charities of America that have, upon rigorous independent review, been able to certify, document, and demonstrate on an annual basis that they meet the highest standards of public accountability, program effectiveness, and cost effectiveness. These standards include those required by the US Government for inclusion in the Combined Federal Campaign, probably the most exclusive fund drive in the world. Of the 1,000,000 charities operating in the United States today, it is estimated that fewer than 50,000, or 5 percent, meet or exceed these standards, and, of those, fewer than 2,000 have been awarded this Seal.
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| What are Pennsylvania's Dog Laws? |
| 1. |
All dogs three months of age or older must be licensed.
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All dogs must be under control and may not be allowed to run at large. Dogs are personal property and owners are responsible for damages caused by their dog.
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It is illegal to mistreat or abuse any animal. Violations should be reported to the local humane organization or police.
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You may not place any poison or harmful substance in any place where it may be easily found and eaten by dogs whether it be your property or elsewhere.
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It is illegal to abandon or attempt to abandon any dog. Fines for abandonment range from $300 to $1,000 plus court costs.
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No dog under seven weeks old may be bartered, traded, sold or transferred.
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You must have a current kennel license if you operate a kennel that keeps, harbors, boards, shelters, sells, gives away or transfers a total of 26 or more dogs in any one calendar year.
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It is illegal to interfere with an officer or employee of the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture engaged in the enforcement of the Dog Laws.
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About Dogs |
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Owning a dog is one of the great American pastimes
and privileges. Dogs fill the role of companion, guide, hunter, guardian, herdsman and
entertainer. But owning a dog is a major responsibility as well. That responsibility extends
not only to proper care and training of your dog, but also to your responsibility for the
dog's behavior. A proper understanding of the responsibilities of dog ownership is necessary
in today's complex society.
ALL DOGS over 3 MONTHS of age or older MUST be
LICENSED.
ALL DOGS must be UNDER CONTROL. This means that
when your dog is not on your property, it must be under the DIRECT CONTROL of you or
a handler. The best way to control your dog is with a LEASH. Remember, dogs are
PERSONAL PROPERTY. You are RESPONSIBLE for any DAMAGE caused by your dog.
Some Responsibilities of The Bureau of Dog Law Enforcement
• Reimburse people for dog-caused damage to livestock, poultry and domestic game birds.
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• Enforce licensing and control of dogs.
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• Seize and detain any dog seen running at large.
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• Investigate dog bites.
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• Enforce licensing and control of dogs.
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• Enforce kennel licensing and inspections.
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• Establish and enforce quarantine of dogs, in certain areas.
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• Fund counties and humane organizations to establish dog control facilities.
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• Provide educational services concerning dog ownership in Pennsylvania.
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• Enforce rabies law.
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• Reimburse people for rabies-caused death to livestock.
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Responsibilities of The Police in The Dog Law
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• Assist in the enforcement of the Dog Law, including licensing and control.
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• Seize and detain any dog viewed running at large, unaccompanied by the owner.
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• Investigate dog bites.
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There are Penalties for Violators
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The Department of Agriculture's Bureau of Dog Law Enforcement
conducts random checks to determine if rabies vaccinations are current. Authorities
investigating complaints about strays, animal bites and disturbances also check for
violations.
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Owners of dogs and house cats 3 months of age that are not
vaccinated or have not received a booster shot at the required time can be fined up to $300
in magistrate's court.
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Failure to have a pet vaccinated jeopardizes its life by
leaving it vulnerable to exposure to rabid wildlife or domestic animals
that may have contracted the disease. If your pet gets rabies, it can not be saved.
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Unvaccinated pets exposed to positive rabies carriers may be placed
under quarantine up to six months in an enclosure to insure there is no contact with other
animals or humans.
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If an unvaccinated pet acquires rabies, it could pass the disease
along to you, your family, neighbors or others through bites or scratches. The treatment to
prevent rabies from developing in humans is costly, and once rabies develops it is nearly
always fatal.
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Pennsylvania's Dangerous Dog Law
Act 46 of 1990 is known as the "Dangerous Dog Law." It was enacted to provide
greater protection to persons attacked by a "dangerous dog," and to provide for greater control by owners of
dogs considered to be dangerous.
Listed below is a brief description of the provisions of the Dangerous Dog Law.
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| 1 |
A dangerous dog is defined as one which has attacked a human being without
provocation, or killed or has inflicted severe injury to a domestic animal without provocation while off an
owner's property. Furthermore, a dog is considered dangerous if it killed or has inflicted severe injury to
a human being, or if it was involved in committing a crime.
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| 2 |
The act does not apply to police dogs, guide dogs for the blind, hearing dogs
for the deaf, aide dogs for the handicapped, or farm dogs(under certain circumstances). The act does not apply
where a person attacked, provoked the animal, or was committing willful trespass or another unlawful act for
which civil suit can be brought.
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| 3 |
If a dog attacks a person, the person (or anyone acting on his/her behalf),
the state dog warden or a police officer may file a complaint with a district justice charging the owner or
keeper with harboring a dangerous dog.
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| 4 |
If the dog is deemed dangerous by the district justice, the owner must:
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register the animal with Bureau of Dog Law enforcement (includes a fee
sufficient to cover costs of the program)
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confine the dog in a proper enclosure
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post a warning sign with a symbol that warns children of the presence of a
dangerous dog
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keep the dog muzzled and leashed when outside its pen
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post a bond or purchase and maintain liability insurance in the amount of
$50,000 to pay for injuries inflicted by the dog
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agree not to cancel the liability insurance during the licensed period unless
he/she disposes of the dog
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sign a statement providing that he/she will notify the Bureau of Dog Law
Enforcement, state dog warden and local police if the dog is loose, attacks a human or an animal, dies or
is sold/donated.
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| 5 |
In terms of enforcement, a dangerous dog could be confiscated under certain
circumstances (i.e., the dog is not properly registered or not kept in proper enclosure). The owner would be
guilty of a criminal offense ranging from a summary offense to a first-degree misdemeanor.
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| 6 |
All known incidents of dog attacks by dangerous dogs must investigate all
reports.
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| 7 |
The state Dangerous Dog Law overrides all local ordinances relating to
dangerous dogs.
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Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture
Bureua of Dog Law Enforcement
2301 North Cameron
Street
Harrisburg, PA 17110-9408
717-787-3062
Dog Law Regional Offices
REGION 1
13410 Dunham Road - Meadville, PA 16335
(Clarion, Crawford, Elk, Erie,
Forest, Jefferson, McKean, Mercer, Venango, Warren Counties)
814-332-6890
REGION 2
2130 County Farm Road - Suite 2 - Montoursville, PA 17754
(Cameron,
Clinton, Columbia, Lycoming, Montour, Northumberland, Potter, Snyder, Tioga, Union Counties)
717-433-2640
REGION 3
Rt. 92 South - Box C - Tunkannock, PA 18657
(Bradford, Carbon, Lackawanna,
Luzeme, Monroe, Pike, Sullivan, Susquehanna, Wayne, Wyoming Counties)
717-836-2181
REGION 4
5349 Wm. Flynn Highway - Gibsonia, PA 15044
(Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver,
Butler, Fayette, Greene, Indiana, Lawrence, Washington, Westomreland counties)
724-443-1585
REGION 5
1304 7th St Cricket Field Plaza - Altoona, PA 16601
(Bedford, Blair, Camria,
Centre, Clearfield, Fulton, Huntingdon, Juniata, Miffling, Sommerset Counties)
814-946-7315
REGION 6
2301 North Cameron St. - Harrisburg, PA 17110
(Adams, Cumberland, Dauphin,
Franklin, Lancaster, Lebanon, Perry, York Counties)
717-787-4833
REGION 7
Route 113 - PO Box 300 - Creamery, PA 19430
(Berks, Bucks, Chester, Delaware,
Lehigh, Montgomery, Northampton, Philadelphia, Schuylkill Counties)
610-489-1003
Bureau of Dog Law Enforcement
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