Share:
Senate Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
Senate of Pennsylvania
Session of 2015 - 2016
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | March 23, 2015 12:39 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Senator Andrew E. Dinniman |
| To: | All Senate members |
| Subject: | Resolution to Study How Better to Inform PA Residents of Animal-Control Responsibilities |
| Pennsylvanians with animal-related issues – be it a stray dog at their door, an illegal kennel they have come across, a possibly rabid raccoon in their backyard, or squirrels in the attic – have the unenviable task of deciding who is the right person or agency to call. For example in my senate district, depending on which of these scenarios is at hand and in what municipality one resides, the best number to call might be the Chester County SPCA, the Chester County Dog Warden, the Pennsylvania Game Commission, local or state police, or local private-sector companies. Residents in Pennsylvania counties without SPCA’s or similar agencies have to determine if it’s local or state police or state dog wardens that handle animal-related issues. The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture confirmed to me that residents throughout the Commonwealth can become frustrated by the many referrals they receive and the many phone calls they have to make when confronting animal-related issues due to the Pennsylvania’s confusing and sometimes overlapping animal-related responsibilities. I will soon introduce a resolution directing the Joint State Government Commission to study this issue – including approaches taken by other states – and to recommend reforms. One idea just for starters is the establishment of a regional or county-wide “Animal Central” number and website that would accept all animal-related calls and refer them to the appropriate local, county or state organization or agency. I hope you join me in co-sponsoring this resolution. |
Introduced as SR57