PRINTER'S NO. 2149
No. 1745 Session of 1989
INTRODUCED BY SAURMAN, KOSINSKI, BILLOW, ROBINSON, NAHILL, VROON, McNALLY, SEMMEL, LAUGHLIN, GIGLIOTTI, MURPHY, CHADWICK, SERAFINI, RITTER AND DONATUCCI, JUNE 21, 1989
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE AND RURAL AFFAIRS, JUNE 21, 1989
AN ACT 1 Amending the act of December 7, 1982 (P.L.784, No.225), entitled 2 "An act relating to dogs, regulating the keeping of dogs; 3 providing for the licensing of dogs and kennels; providing 4 for the protection of dogs and the detention and destruction 5 of dogs in certain cases; regulating the sale and 6 transportation of dogs; declaring dogs to be personal 7 property and the subject of theft; providing for the 8 assessment of damages done to livestock, poultry and domestic 9 game birds; providing for payment of damages by the 10 Commonwealth in certain cases and the liability of the owner 11 or keeper of dogs for such damages; imposing powers and 12 duties on certain State and local officers and employees; 13 providing penalties; and creating a Dog Law Restricted 14 Account," establishing a program to reimburse the costs of 15 neutering dogs and cats; establishing an ongoing educational 16 program to inform the public of pet overpopulation; creating 17 the Pet Overpopulation Fund; and imposing a tax on dog and 18 cat food. 19 The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania 20 hereby enacts as follows: 21 Section 1. The act of December 7, 1982 (P.L.784, No.225), 22 known as the Dog Law, is amended by adding a section to read: 23 Section 1003. Pet Overpopulation Fund; neutering and 24 educational program. 25 (a) Pet Overpopulation Fund.--There is hereby established a
1 restricted account within the department to be known as the Pet 2 Overpopulation Fund. 3 (b) Funding.--A 1¢ per pound surcharge shall be imposed on 4 all dog and cat food for sale at wholesale for consumption in 5 this Commonwealth. This surcharge shall be paid by the purchaser 6 and shall be forwarded directly to the State Treasurer for 7 transfer to the Pet Overpopulation Fund. Any interest earned 8 shall remain with the fund. 9 (c) Appropriation.--As much as may be necessary of the 10 moneys in the Pet Overpopulation Fund is hereby appropriated to 11 pay: 12 (1) All salaries of the employees of the department in 13 administering their duties under this act. 14 (2) All expenses of the secretary and the department in 15 administering their duties under this act. 16 (3) Reimbursements to pet owners for operations 17 performed by veterinarians to neuter their pets at the 18 following rates: 19 (i) For cat neuters - $8. 20 (ii) For cat spays - $12. 21 (iii) For dog neuters - $15. 22 (iv) For dog spays - $20. 23 (4) Ongoing educational programs to inform pet owners 24 and potential pet owners of the consequences of pet 25 overpopulation. 26 (d) Regulations.--The secretary shall promulgate rules and 27 regulations governing procedures, forms and reimbursement 28 details within 60 days of passage. 29 Section 2. This act shall take effect in 180 days. F14L03JAM/19890H1745B2149 - 2 -