Jun 23, 2017 3 min read

Until now, someone who abused an animal in Pennsylvania could count on escaping the legal system with no more than a slap on the wrist. Fortunately, that’s about to change.

The state House and Senate have passed legislation to tighten the state’s law on cruelty to animals, and Gov. Tom Wolf, a strong supporter of the measure, is expected to sign the bill at any time.

There have been previous efforts to enact this type of law, but proponents this time around had a secret weapon: a mascot/four-legged lobbyist named Libre.

The Boston terrier, then a 4-month-old pup, had been left for dead at an Amish dog-breeding operation in Lancaster County, suffering from mange, sepsis and other ailments. His rescue and recovery gained international attention, and his owner, Janine Guido, put him front and center in the effort to pass the crackdown, which has become known as “Libre’s Law.”

Those who are involved in animal welfare work soon will have new tools at their disposal. According to a report in The Patriot-News of Harrisburg, offenses against animals will be classified as neglect, cruelty or aggravated cruelty, as follows:

• A person who fails to provide an animal with food, clean drinking water, suitable shelter or proper veterinary care would be guilty of a summary offense of neglect. The newspaper said the summary offense would become a third-degree misdemeanor if the neglect causes bodily injury or puts an animal at risk of serious injury.

• Knowingly or recklessly mistreating, beating, abandoning or abusing an animal would be classified as cruelty and would subject the abuser to a second-degree misdemeanor.

• Torturing an animal or causing the serious bodily injury or death of an animal would be classified as aggravated cruelty, and a third-degree felony charge could be filed.

The bill also states tethered animals can be tied out for only nine hours before a mandatory 30-minute break, and veterinarians and humane society officers now have civil immunity to protect them from frivolous lawsuits brought by animal owners. Also – and very important – people convicted of abuse would be forced to forfeit their animals.

Getting the governor’s signature on the measure is a formality.

“I am proud to be be a longtime supporter of Libre’s Law and eager to sign the bipartisan, comprehensive House Bill 1238 into law,” Wolf said in a statement. “I applaud the sponsors and advocates who have fought for too long to improve Pennsylvania’s protections for animals. Pennsylvania is one of only three states that does not have a felony statute for severe animal abuse. We are long overdue to join the rest of the country in having higher standards of care for our pets and other animals.”

Sen. Daylin Leach, a Democrat from Montgomery County, noted people who commit violent acts against other people often “started out being cruel to animals.”

“It is a red flag,” said Leach. “It is important for us to recognize that and recognize that when we treat animals with respect, we make ourselves better human beings in the process.”

It is our hope that whenever anyone becomes aware of animal abuse, they immediately contact the proper authorities so the full extent of this law can be applied.

As Leach suggested, one good measure of a society, or a state, is how well it cares for those least able to fend for themselves. This law makes Pennsylvania a better place.