PRINTER'S NO. 2667
No. 1989 Session of 1984
INTRODUCED BY SAURMAN, MORRIS, WESTON, D. W. SNYDER, VROON,
HERSHEY, JOHNSON, SIRIANNI, PUNT, J. L. WRIGHT, ARTY, HAGARTY
AND MURPHY, MARCH 19, 1984
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE AND RURAL AFFAIRS,
MARCH 19, 1984
AN ACT
1 Amending the act of December 7, 1982 (P.L.784, No.225), entitled
2 "An act relating to dogs, regulating the keeping of dogs;
3 providing for the licensing of dogs and kennels; providing
4 for the protection of dogs and the detention and destruction
5 of dogs in certain cases; regulating the sale and
6 transportation of dogs; declaring dogs to be personal
7 property and the subject of theft; providing for the
8 assessment of damages done to livestock, poultry and domestic
9 game birds; providing for payment of damages by the
10 Commonwealth in certain cases and the liability of the owner
11 or keeper of dogs for such damages; imposing powers and
12 duties on certain State and local officers and employees;
13 providing penalties; and creating a Dog Law Restricted
14 Account," further providing for confinement of dogs;
15 establishing a program to reimburse the costs of neutering
16 dogs and cats and of rabies shots for dogs and cats;
17 establishing an ongoing educational program to inform the
18 public of pet overpopulation; and further providing for use
19 of the Dog Law Restricted Account.
20 The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
21 hereby enacts as follows:
22 Section 1. Sections 305, 1001 and 1002 of the act of
23 December 7, 1982 (P.L.784, No.225), known as the Dog Law, are
24 amended to read:
25 Section 305. Confinement of dogs.
1 It shall be unlawful for the owner or keeper of any dog to
2 fail to keep at all times such dog either:
3 (1) confined within the premises of the owner;
4 (2) firmly secured by means of a collar and chain or
5 other device so that it cannot stray beyond the premises on
6 which it is secured; [or]
7 (3) under the reasonable control of some person[, or
8 when engaged in lawful hunting, exhibition or field
9 training.]; or
10 (4) engaged in lawful hunting, exhibition or field
11 training.
12 Section 1001. Dog Law Restricted Account; disposition and
13 appropriation of funds accruing under the
14 provisions of this act.
15 (a) Dog Law Restricted Account created.--All moneys paid
16 into the State Treasury under the provisions of this act shall
17 be paid into a restricted account hereby created and to be known
18 as the Dog Law Restricted Account.
19 (b) Appropriation.--As much as may be necessary of such
20 moneys in the Dog Law Restricted Account are hereby appropriated
21 to pay:
22 (1) all salaries of the employees of the department in
23 administering their duties under this act;
24 (2) all expenses of the secretary and the department in
25 administering their duties under this act;
26 (3) all payments of all allowable damage claims pursuant
27 to sections 701, 702 and 703, and the maintenance of a
28 $100,000 indemnity fund;
29 (4) all payments to counties pursuant to section
30 1002(a); and
19840H1989B2667 - 2 -
1 (5) all payments from surplus moneys declared to be
2 available by the secretary pursuant to section 1002(b).
3 (c) Subsidized services.--No funds credited to the
4 restricted account created by this section shall be used for
5 government subsidized veterinary services, except approved
6 reimbursement for pet population control programs and rabies
7 control programs.
8 Section 1002. County dog law programs.
9 (a) Dog control facilities.--Any county except counties of
10 the first class or any incorporated humane organization may
11 submit requests for funding to establish and maintain dog
12 control facilities, pet population control programs, rabies
13 control programs, educational programs relating to pet
14 population control and rabies control or other functions of dog
15 control within the county to complement the Commonwealth dog law
16 enforcement program.
17 (b) Surplus funds.--The secretary may declare that there is
18 a surplus of money in the Dog Law Restricted Account. The
19 secretary may authorize additional payments to the counties,
20 except to counties of the first class, and to incorporated
21 humane organizations from any amount declared to be surplus.
22 Such payments shall be based on the secretary's evaluation
23 pursuant to rules and regulations promulgated under this act.
24 Section 2. This act shall take effect in 60 days.
C7L3JAM/19840H1989B2667 - 3 -