On October 23, 2023, Governor Josh Shapiro signed Act 18, which updates Pennsylvania’s Dog Law.
Act 18 revises annual and lifetime dog license costs, causing dog owners to see an increase in fees for the first time in over twenty five (25) years. The General Assembly has also amended several provisions of Pennsylvania’s Dog Law, which dog and kennel owners must consider.
KingSpry Litigation Practice Chair Alan Battisti details what dog owners can expect from Act 18 and how to avoid legal troubles with their beloved pets.
Purpose
Sponsor of Senate Bill No. 746, Senator Vogel, shared that the Bureau of Dog Law Enforcement (BDLE) has been operating in a deficit for several years and annually requires a transfer of funds to maintain its operations. Due to tight budgets, the Department of Agriculture has asked the General Assembly to increase dog and kennel license fees, according to Senator Vogel.
With favorable margins in the state Senate and House of Representatives, Senate Bill No. 746 was passed and signed by the Governor, becoming Act 18 of 2023.
Updates to Pennsylvania Dog Law
Act 18 amends the application for and costs to obtain dog and kennel licenses. Additionally, Act 18 introduces new provisions pertaining to dog bites and the harboring of “dangerous dogs.”
Act 18 takes effect on January 21, 2024.
Dog Licenses
On January 1st of each year, the owner of any dog, three (3) months of age or older, or upon the transfer of ownership (whichever comes first), must apply to their county treasurer for the appropriate dog license. A dog license certificate states the breed, sex, age, color, and markings of the dog, as well as the owner’s name and contact information.
For all male and female dogs in Pennsylvania, the license fee is increased from $5 to $7. For Pennsylvania dog owners age sixty five (65) or older, the license fee is increased from $3 to $5.
The owners of dogs which have been permanently identified may apply to their county treasurer for a lifetime dog license, which costs $49, or $33 for Pennsylvanians age sixty five (65) or older. Permanent identification refers to any long-lasting identification designed to be nonremovable, such as a tattoo or microchip, as determined by the Department of Agriculture.
If found guilty of violating these amended dog licensing requirements, dog owners may be convicted of a summary offense and required to pay a $100 to $500 fine per unlicensed dog.
Kennel Licenses
Kennel owners and operators also face changes under Act 18. On or before January 1st of each year, all kennels owners should apply to be classified. Act 18 causes kennel owners to see an increase ranging from $25-$200 per year depending on the classification of their kennel.
An individual who operates a kennel without obtaining the appropriate type and classification of kennel license commits a misdemeanor of the third degree, and may be required to pay a fine ranging from $1,000 to $5,000 for each day it operates in violation.
Dog Bites and Dangerous Dogs
Act 18 requires that any dog which bites or attacks a human must “immediately” be confined in a “primary enclosure” that has been approved by the Department of Health, Department of Agriculture, a Pennsylvania Dog Warden, an animal control officer, or a police officer; the dog must remain in its primary enclosure for ten (10) days following the bite or attack.
A Pennsylvania Dog Warden or local police officer may file a complaint against a dog owner on behalf of someone or someone’s domestic animal who has been attacked by a dog. If guilty, the offending dog owner commits a summary offense.
If a dog is classified as a “dangerous dog,” the dog owner is required to register for a dangerous dog certificate, which costs $1,000 per calendar year pursuant to Act 18.
Key Takeaways
Pennsylvania’s Dog Law has been amended to “improve public safety in communities statewide; improve conditions for dogs in breeding kennels, day cares, and shelters; protect those who buy or adopt dogs in Pennsylvania; and help prevent the spread of infectious disease among dogs,” according to the Governor’s Office.
Dog and kennel owners must be proactive in understanding and acting upon Act 18’s new provisions to avoid potential legal ramifications and/or liability for their beloved pets.
