There is a haunting reality in Luzerne County, PA, that dogs are frequently facing: being put in unsuitable enclosures, especially in extreme weather conditions. These unsettling practices not only lack humanity, they put the lives and mental health of dogs at severe risk. Statistics indicate that an estimated tens of thousands of dogs die from neglect and abuse every year in the United States (Humane Society). This is a reality that we, the citizens of Luzerne County, witness too often.

Shockingly, the current laws are unable to sufficiently penalize or deter these cruel practices. Despite community action and protests against clear instances of animal neglect, the authorities often end up returning the victims to their abusers after cursory investigations.

Take the case of a dog held in a harmful situation that led me to start this petition. After I plucked up the courage to remove the dog from a perilous environment, the local community voiced their distress. Yet, distressingly, the authorities returned her back to the abusive owner. This was not justice served, but a shocking disregard for animal welfare.

We demand stronger legislation that not only absolutely prohibits the confinement of dogs in inadequate, inappropriate cages or enclosures, particularly during harsh weather conditions, but also enlists the community to act when they witness animal cruelty. Specifically, laws need to be amended to make it legal for people to intervene when they see an animal in distress or at risk in any form or manner.

This suffering needs to end. The onus is on us, as a community, as a society, to stand against such gruesome acts and bring about necessary changes in our legal systems to protect our four-legged companions. Join me in this fight against animal cruelty and ensure no dog in Luzerne County has to suffer anymore. Sign this petition today.