PRINTER'S NO. 2122
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE BILL
No.
1375
Session of
2015
INTRODUCED BY TEPLITZ, COSTA, RAFFERTY AND SCHWANK,
OCTOBER 12, 2016
REFERRED TO AGRICULTURE AND RURAL AFFAIRS, OCTOBER 12, 2016
AN ACT
Amending the act of December 7, 1982 (P.L.784, No.225),
entitled, as amended, "An act relating to dogs, regulating
the keeping of dogs; providing for the licensing of dogs and
kennels; providing for the protection of dogs and the
detention and destruction of dogs in certain cases;
regulating the sale and transportation of dogs; declaring
dogs to be personal property and the subject of theft;
providing for the abandonment of animals; providing for the
assessment of damages done to animals; providing for payment
of damages by the Commonwealth in certain cases and the
liability of the owner or keeper of dogs for such damages;
imposing powers and duties on certain State and local
officers and employees; providing penalties; and creating a
Dog Law Restricted Account," establishing the Spay and Neuter
Statewide Task Force and providing for membership and duties
of the task force.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. The act of December 7, 1982 (P.L.784, No.225),
known as the Dog Law, is amended by adding an article to read:
ARTICLE IX-B
SPAY AND NEUTER STATEWIDE TASK FORCE
Section 901-B. Definitions.
The following words and phrases when used in this article
shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the
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context clearly indicates otherwise:
"Neuter." A procedure to render a male dog or cat unable to
reproduce.
"Spay." A procedure to render a female dog or cat unable to
reproduce.
"Task force." The Spay and Neuter Statewide Task Force
established under section 902-B.
Section 902-B. Establishment.
The Spay and Neuter Statewide Task Force is established
within the department to reduce animal shelter overpopulation
and cat and dog euthanasia.
Section 903-B. Members.
(a) Composition.--The task force shall consist of the
following members, who shall be residents of this Commonwealth:
(1) The secretary or a designee, who shall act as
chairperson.
(2) One member of the Senate appointed by the President
pro tempore of the Senate.
(3) One member of the Senate appointed by the Minority
Leader of the Senate.
(4) One member of the House of Representatives appointed
by the Majority Leader of the House of Representatives.
(5) One member of the House of Representatives appointed
by the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives.
(6) The following members appointed by the Governor:
(i) Two representatives from two separate animal
advocacy groups operating in Pennsylvania.
(ii) One representative from the Pennsylvania
Veterinary Medical Association.
(iii) One representative from an organization that
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advocates on behalf of Pennsylvania counties.
(iv) One representative from an animal rescue
organization operating in Pennsylvania.
(v) One representative from a spay and neuter
organization operating in Pennsylvania.
(b) Compensation.--Members of the task force shall not
receive compensation, except for reimbursements necessary for
travel and other expenses incurred in the performance of
official duties.
(c) Open meetings.--All meetings of the task force shall be
open to the public.
Section 904-B. Duties of the task force.
The task force shall:
(1) collect and review data on the number of spay or
neuter services performed each year in this Commonwealth and
any unmet need for the services;
(2) review ongoing successful local spay and neuter
programs in this Commonwealth;
(3) review spay and neuter programs in other states and
identify best practices;
(4) review and make recommendations regarding the most
appropriate funding mechanism for a spay and neuter fund; and
(5) make recommendations regarding the establishment of
a spay and neuter fund that best meets the needs of the
Commonwealth.
Section 905-B. Report.
The task force shall annually issue a report of its
activities and recommendations under section 904-B to all of the
following:
(1) The Governor.
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(2) The President pro tempore of the Senate.
(3) The Minority Leader of the Senate.
(4) The chairperson and minority chairperson of the
Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee of the Senate.
(5) The Speaker of the House of Representatives.
(6) The Minority Leader of the House of Representatives.
(7) The chairperson and minority chairperson of the
Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee of the House of
Representatives.
(8) The Secretary of Agriculture.
Section 2. This act shall take effect in 60 days.
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