Pennsylvania needs stricter laws and harsher punishments for animal abusers! Pennsylvania also needs a central registry to track people that abuse, neglect and surrender animals. This issue is not one sided. Animal advocates should not be the only ones pushing for stricter laws and harsher punishments. This issue affects everyone one way or another.

Animal abuse correlates with domestic violence and child abuse

The National Sheriffs’ Association was a leading advocate for adding animal cruelty as a data set in the FBI’s collection of crime statistics. Violence towards animals is a strong predictor that the abuser may inflict violence on people (Jegatheesan). Roughly 85% of people arrested for animal abuse or cruelty have had multiple past arrests, with 70% having prior felonies (Humane Society International). The significant co-occurrence between animal cruelty and other antisocial behaviors indicates that animal cruelty is yet another marker of violent criminal behavior. ​​

Unethical breeders and puppy mills contribute to overpopulation in shelters and rescues

Most rescues and shelters rely solely on private donations to stay open. When private donations decrease, or stop altogether; shelters and rescues will close. Overpopulation, due to puppy mills and irresponsible breeders, will become a burden on local municipalities. In addition to significant health and welfare problems of the animals themselves, there are public health and safety concerns with free-roaming animals, and key environmental concerns, including wild and domestic animal predation by feral dogs and cats, and potential attraction of predators, such as coyotes, into suburban and urban areas by the ready supply of feral cats as food. When criminal charges are not brought, chances are high that breeders will immediately go back into business with similar results. 

Accountability 

There is no database to track animal abusers. Most offenders repetitively commit these violent crimes with no repercussions. In 1995, Governor Tom Ridge signed into law Act 24 of 1995, commonly referred to as "Megan's Law”. As we all know, the primary focus of this law is to protect innocent children from violent predators. Animals are innocent and voiceless victims of horrific abuse and neglect in the hands of these offenders. Research and statistics prove that when animals are abused, they’re most likely not the only victims. 

 

Therefore, as a resident of Pennsylvania I propose the following solutions:

(1) Sentencing guidelines for Libre’s Law need to be updated. All offenses should result in a punishment that vastly surpasses a summary offense or misdemeanor. 

(2)  When convicted of animal neglect, abuse or cruelty; the offender’s name should be placed on a registry accessible to the public, similar to the Megan’s Law registry.

(3) Standards and regulations need to be revised for breeders. Puppy mills need to permanently close.

(4) Pet stores should not be allowed to sell puppies, dogs, kittens or cats. 

(5) Furthermore, local, state and federal government needs to provide more funding to be placed on education involving spay/neuter programs and vaccinations. 

This problem is much deeper than overcrowded shelters. This is an issue involving all of humanity.