PRINTER'S NO. 1229
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE BILL
No.
977
Session of
2015
INTRODUCED BY TEPLITZ, BREWSTER, TARTAGLIONE, LEACH, SABATINA,
FONTANA, DINNIMAN, COSTA, BOSCOLA, RAFFERTY, BLAKE AND
PILEGGI, SEPTEMBER 15, 2015
REFERRED TO JUDICIARY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2015
AN ACT
Amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania
Consolidated Statutes, in riot, disorderly conduct and
related offenses, further providing for cruelty to animals.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Section 5511(q) of Title 18 of the Pennsylvania
Consolidated Statutes is amended by adding definitions and the
section is amended by adding a subsection to read:
ยง 5511. Cruelty to animals.
* * *
(h.3) Leaving animal in unattended motor vehicle.--The
following shall apply:
(1) In addition to any other penalty provided by law, a
motor vehicle owner or operator commits a summary offense if
the motor vehicle owner or operator confines a dog or cat in
an unattended motor vehicle in extreme heat, endangering the
dog's or the cat's health and well-being.
(2) A person who witnesses an act under paragraph (1),
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
may contact a police officer, a volunteer or professional
fireman, humane officer, security guard or other first
responder, who may take any action to safeguard the dog or
cat, including, but not limited to, breaking into the motor
vehicle to remove the dog or cat from the unattended motor
vehicle after a reasonable effort to search for the owner or
operator of the unattended motor vehicle.
(3) A police officer, a volunteer or professional
fireman, humane officer, security guard or other first
responder, and the department or agency employing the
officer, is not liable for any damage to property resulting
from actions taken under this section.
(4) Once the dog or cat is removed from the motor
vehicle, the police officer, volunteer or professional
fireman, humane officer, security guard or other first
responder removing the dog or cat shall:
(i) leave a note in the motor vehicle or in a
conspicuous location stating the person's name and
contact information and information as to where the dog
or cat can be located; and
(ii) take the dog or cat to a veterinary hospital or
animal care clinic for treatment and health screening.
The dog or cat shall then be admitted to a shelter or
humane society if the motor vehicle owner or operator is
unable to be located.
* * *
(q) Definitions.--As used in this section, the following
words and phrases shall have the meanings given to them in this
subsection:
* * *
20150SB0977PN1229 - 2 -
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
"Extreme heat." An extremely high temperature, inside or
outside of a motor vehicle, that could endanger an animal's
health or well-being.
* * *
"Unattended motor vehicle." A motor vehicle that is out of
the owner's or operator's sight.
* * *
Section 2. This act shall take effect in 60 days.
20150SB0977PN1229 - 3 -
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8