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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2021 - 2022
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | June 23, 2022 09:23 AM |
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| From: | Representative Angel Cruz |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Animal Abuse Registry |
| Animal abuse registries enable law enforcement to hold individuals convicted of animal abuse accountable and potentially provide animal shelters, rescues, pet stores, and other organizations with the information necessary to prevent a prior abuser from adopting another animal. Unfortunately, an animal abuse registry is not currently in place in Pennsylvania, making it extremely easy for people with prior animal abuse convictions to fly under the radar while acquiring more animals. In an effort to prevent further threats to animal health and safety, I am proposing legislation requiring persons convicted of an animal abuse crime to register their information in a state-wide registry to be established by the Pennsylvania State Police. Within 10 days of receiving a registration, the county sheriff will be required to provide all county residences, schools, humane societies, animal shelters and any other business within a half-mile radius of the offender's residence or location with the registration information of the offender. This information will be maintained for seven years to a lifetime, depending on the number of convictions. Those who fail to register commit a felony of the third degree, and repeat offenders who fail to register commit a felony of the second degree. Without enforcement provisions with teeth, laws intended to protect animal life are inconsequential. Please consider supporting policy that effectively holds animal abusers accountable by signing on to this proposal. |
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| View Attachment | ||
Introduced as HB2722