1Amending the act of December 7, 1982 (P.L.784, No.225),
2entitled, as amended, "An act relating to dogs, regulating
3the keeping of dogs; providing for the licensing of dogs and
4kennels; providing for the protection of dogs and the
5detention and destruction of dogs in certain cases;
6regulating the sale and transportation of dogs; declaring
7dogs to be personal property and the subject of theft;
8providing for the abandonment of animals; providing for the
9assessment of damages done to animals; providing for payment
10of damages by the Commonwealth in certain cases and the
11liability of the owner or keeper of dogs for such damages;
12imposing powers and duties on certain State and local
13officers and employees; providing penalties; and creating a
14Dog Law Restricted Account," further providing for killing
15dogs.

16The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
17hereby enacts as follows:

18Section 1. Section 501(a) of the act of December 7, 1982
19(P.L.784, No.225), known as the Dog Law, amended December 11,
201996 (P.L.943, No.151), is amended to read:

21Section 501. Killing dogs; dogs as nuisances.

22(a) Legal to kill certain dogs.--[Any]

23(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), any person may
24kill any dog which he sees in the act of pursuing or wounding
25or killing any domestic animal, wounding or killing other

1dogs, cats or household pets, or pursuing, wounding or
2attacking human beings, whether or not such a dog bears the
3license tag required by the provisions of this act.

4(2) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), in counties of the
5first class through third class, any person may kill any dog
6which he sees in the act of pursuing with the apparent intent
7to harm any domestic animal whether or not such a dog bears
8the license tag required by the provisions of this act.

9(3)  There shall be no liability on such persons in
10damages or otherwise for such killing.

11* * *

12Section 2. This act shall take effect in 60 days.