Aimee was only six months old.

She was found locked inside a crate, abandoned under a bridge in Erie, Pennsylvania, during freezing winter temperatures. She was emaciated, frostbitten, and covered in her own waste. Veterinarians later said she had suffered for months. Despite emergency surgery and over 40 minutes of CPR, Aimee did not survive.

Two people have been arrested in connection with her death. But for many Pennsylvanians, the question remains: why was this ever possible under our laws?

Animal abandonment in life-threatening conditions is not a mistake. It is cruelty. And in Pennsylvania, the punishment does not reflect the severity of the harm.

We are calling on the Pennsylvania General Assembly to pass legislation, known as Aimee’s Law, that makes the intentional abandonment of an animal in dangerous or deadly conditions a felony offense, especially during extreme weather or when the animal is confined.

Aimee’s suffering was preventable. According to Erie police and local shelters, the individuals involved admitted they could not care for her. Help was available. Shelters were available. Surrender options existed. Instead, Aimee was left to suffer alone.

This petition is not about punishment alone. It is about accountability, deterrence, and sending a clear message that animals are living beings, not disposable property. When abandonment leads to prolonged suffering or death, the law must respond accordingly.

We urge Pennsylvania lawmakers and Governor Josh Shapiro to act swiftly to strengthen animal cruelty statutes so that abandonment under extreme or life-threatening conditions carries serious legal consequences. Stronger laws will save lives by discouraging neglect and encouraging responsible surrender when owners are overwhelmed.

Aimee’s story has touched thousands of people because it represents something deeply wrong and something we still have the power to fix.

Please sign this petition to demand justice for Aimee and protection for every animal in Pennsylvania. Let her suffering not be in vain. Pass Aimee’s Law and make animal abandonment a felony.