AN ACT

 

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
15definitions and for revocation or refusal of kennel licenses.

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

18Section 1. Section 102 of the act of December 7, 1982
19(P.L.784, No.225), known as the Dog Law, is amended by adding a
20definition to read:

21Section 102. Definitions.

22The following words and phrases when used in this act shall
23have, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the

1meanings given to them in this section:

2* * *

3"Immediate family." Includes a spouse, child, parent,
4brother, sister, grandparent and grandchild and a spouse
5thereof, a domestic partner and any other individual related by
6blood or affinity whose close association with the licensee is
7the equivalent of a family relationship.

8* * *

9Section 2. Section 211(a) introductory paragraph, amended 
10October 9, 2008 (P.L.1450, No.119), is amended to read:

11Section 211. Revocation or refusal of kennel licenses.

12(a) General powers of secretary.--The secretary shall revoke
13a kennel license, dealer license or out-of-state dealer license
14if a licensee is convicted of a violation of 18 Pa.C.S. § 5511
15(relating to cruelty to animals) or of substantially similar
16conduct pursuant to a cruelty law of another state. The
17secretary shall not issue a kennel license, dealer license or
18out-of-state dealer license to a person that has been convicted
19of a violation of 18 Pa.C.S. § 5511 within the last ten years
20nor to a person who is a member of the immediate family of the 
21convicted licensee <-nor to any person who resides at the same 
22address <-who seeks to operate a kennel at the same location as 
23the convicted licensee. The secretary may revoke or refuse to
24issue a kennel license, dealer license or out-of-state dealer
25license for any one or more of the following reasons:

26* * *

27Section 3. This act shall take effect in 60 days.