Pennsylvania Digest of Laws on Cruelty to Animals and on Humane Society Police Officers: 18 Pa.C.S. 5511, 22 Pa.C.S. 3701-3718 and Notable Case Law Produced by the Pennsylvania Bar Association Animal Law Committee Current as of March 2017
This pocket guide to Pennsylvania s animal cruelty statute, 18 Pa.C.S. 5511, and statutes on Humane Society Police Officers (HSPOs), 22 Pa.C.S. 3701-3718, was originally produced and distributed by the Federated Humane Societies of Pennsylvania. It was updated in 2016 and 2017 by members of the Pennsylvania Bar Association s Animal Law Committee and printed and distributed by the Committee with the permission of the Pennsylvania Bar Association and Federate Humane. It is intended for easy on-scene reference by those who are investigating or defending animal cruelty cases in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. This guide is publicly available as a service to help others make informed decisions regarding the required legal responsibilities of animal care and custody as well as the potential legal ramifications for acting or failing to act in violation of the statute. This guide has been in continuous publication for over 100 years and has always been called the Blue Book. There is a select body of case law that has come about in regards to the animal cruelty laws. We have included the noteworthy cases with a brief explanatory note for each to help guide the individual on the scene. There is also a more extensive text offered by the Federated Humane Societies that gives these cases in full and in more depth. This guide is not intended to be a complete compilation of all the cases and issues under 5511 and 3701-3718, but only a quick reference. It is not intended to be legal advice and any questions on this matter should be directed to competent legal counsel.
TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. Pennsylvania s Animal Cruelty Statute... 5 (a) Killing, maiming or poisoning domestic animals or zoo animals, etc.... 5 (a.1) Guide dogs.... 7 (a.2) Civil penalty and restitution.... 8 (b) Regulating certain actions concerning fowl or rabbits.... 9 (c) Cruelty to animals.... 9 (d) Selling or using disabled horse.... 10 (e) Transporting animals in cruel manner.... 10 e.1) Transporting equine animals in cruel manner.... 11 (f) Hours of labor of animals.... 12 (g) Cruelty to cow to enhance appearance of udder.... 12 (h) Specific violations; prima facie evidence of violation.... 12 (h.1) Animal fighting.... 17 (h.2) Possession of animal fighting paraphernalia.... 18 (i) Power to initiate criminal proceedings.... 18 (j) Seizure of animals kept or used for animal fighting.... 19 (k) Killing homing pigeons.... 20 (l) Search warrants.... 20 (m) Forfeiture.... 21 (m.1) Fine for summary offense.... 22 (m.2) Prohibition of ownership.... 22 (n) Skinning of and selling or buying pelts of dogs and cats.... 22 (o) Representation of humane society by attorney.... 22 (o.1) Construction of section.... 23 (p) Applicability of section.... 23 (q) Definitions.... 23 2. Humane Society Police Officers... 26 3701. Scope of chapter.... 26 3702. Definitions.... 26 3703. Appointment required.... 28
3704. Appointment by nonprofit corporations.... 28 3705. Qualifications for appointment.... 29 3706. Suspension, revocation, limitation and restriction of appointment; restoration of appointment.... 30 3707. Termination of appointment.... 31 3708. Powers and authority; jurisdiction.... 32 3709. Penalties.... 34 3710. Search warrants.... 34 3711. Limitation on possession of firearms.... 34 3712. Training program.... 35 3713. Continuing education program.... 37 3714. Statewide registry.... 40 3715. Humane Society Police Officer Advisory Board... 41 3716. Costs.... 42 3717. Disposition of moneys.... 43 3718. Applicability to currently appointed individuals.... 43 3. Case Law Interpreting the Animal Cruelty Statute... 44 Comm. v. Gonzalez, 588 A.2d. 528 (Pa.Super.1991)... 44 Comm. v. Law, No. 01703 Pittsburgh, 1990... 45 Comm. v. Barnes, 629 A.2d 123 (Pa.Super. 1993)... 46 Comm. v. Balog, 672 A.2d 319 (Pa.Super. 1996)... 47 Comm. v. Askins, 761 A.2d 601 (Pa.Super. 2000)... 48 Comm. v. Tomey, 884 A.2d 291 (Pa. Super. 2005), Comm. v. Brodbeck, 122 A.3d 1125 (Pa. Super. 2015), and Comm. v. Shickora, 116 A.3d 1150 (Pa. Super. 2015)... 48 Comm. v. Crawford, 24 A.3d 396 (Pa.Super. 2011)... 49 Comm. v. Lee, 947 A. 2d 199 (Pa. Super 2008)... 52 Comm. v. Ingram, 926 A.2d 470 (Pa.Super. 2007)... 53 Comm. v. Kneller, 971 A.2d 495 (Pa.Super. 2009)... 54 Snead v. PSPCA, 929 A.2d 1169 (Pa. Super. 2007)... 55 Kauffman v. PSPCA, 766 F.Supp.2d 555 (E.D.Pa. 2011)... 55 4. Civil Remedies... 56
1. Pennsylvania s Animal Cruelty Statute Title 18: Crimes and Offenses, Chapter 55: Riot, Disorderly Conduct, and Related Offenses, 18 Pa.C.S. 5511, Cruelty to animals. (a) Killing, maiming or poisoning domestic animals or zoo animals, etc. (1) A person commits a misdemeanor of the second degree if he willfully and maliciously: (i) Kills, maims or disfigures any domestic animal of another person or any domestic fowl of another person. (ii) Administers poison to or exposes any poisonous substance with the intent to administer such poison to any domestic animal of another person or domestic fowl of another person. (iii) Harasses, annoys, injures, attempts to injure, molests or interferes with a dog guide for an individual who is blind, a hearing dog for an individual who is deaf or audibly impaired or a service dog for an individual who is physically limited. Any person convicted of violating the provisions of this paragraph shall be sentenced to pay a fine of not less than $500. (2) A person commits a felony of the third degree if he willfully and maliciously: (i) Kills, maims or disfigures any zoo animal in captivity. (ii) Administers poison to or exposes any poisonous substance with the intent to administer such poison to any zoo animal in 5
captivity. (2.1) (i) A person commits a misdemeanor of the first degree if he willfully and maliciously: (A) Kills, maims, mutilates, tortures or disfigures any dog or cat, whether belonging to himself or otherwise. If a person kills, maims, mutilates, tortures or disfigures a dog guide for an individual who is blind, a hearing dog for an individual who is deaf or audibly impaired or a service dog for an individual who is physically limited, whether belonging to the individual or otherwise, that person, in addition to any other applicable penalty, shall be required to make reparations for veterinary costs in treating the dog and, if necessary, the cost of obtaining and training a replacement dog. (B) Administers poison to or exposes any poisonous substance with the intent to administer such poison to any dog or cat, whether belonging to himself or otherwise. (ii) Any person convicted of violating the provisions of this paragraph shall be sentenced to pay a fine of not less than $1,000 or to imprisonment for not more than two years, or both. The court may also order a presentence mental evaluation. A subsequent conviction under this paragraph shall be a felony of the third degree. This paragraph shall apply to dogs and cats only. (iii) The killing of a dog or cat by the owner of that animal is not malicious if it is accomplished in accordance with the act of December 22, 1983 (P.L.303, No.83), referred to as the 6
Animal Destruction Method Authorization Law. (3) This subsection shall not apply to: (i) the killing of any animal taken or found in the act of actually destroying any domestic animal or domestic fowl; (ii) the killing of any animal or fowl pursuant to the act of June 3, 1937 (P.L.1225, No.316), known as The Game Law, or 34 Pa.C.S. 2384 (relating to declaring dogs public nuisances) and 2385 (relating to destruction of dogs declared public nuisances), or the regulations promulgated thereunder; or (iii) such reasonable activity as may be undertaken in connection with vermin control or pest control. (a.1) Guide dogs. (1) A person commits a misdemeanor of the third degree if he is the owner or co-owner of a dog that kills, maims or disfigures a guide dog of an individual who is blind, a hearing dog of an individual who is deaf or audibly impaired or a service dog of an individual who is physically limited without provocation by the guide, hearing or service dog or the individual. (2) A person commits an offense under this subsection only if the person knew or should have known that the dog he owns or co-owns had a propensity to attack human beings or domestic animals without provocation and the owner or coowner knowingly or recklessly failed to restrain the dog or 7
keep the dog in a contained, secure manner. (3) Any person convicted of violating the provisions of this subsection shall be sentenced to pay a fine of not more than $5,000 and shall be ordered to make reparations for veterinary costs in treating the guide, hearing or service dog and, if necessary, the cost of obtaining and training a replacement guide, hearing or service dog. (a.2) Civil penalty and restitution. (1) A person who is the owner or co-owner of a dog that kills, maims or disfigures a guide dog of an individual who is blind, a hearing dog of an individual who is deaf or audibly impaired or a service dog of an individual who is physically limited shall be subject to paragraph (2) if all of the following apply: (i) The owner or co-owner knew the dog had a propensity to attack human beings or domestic animals. (ii) The owner or co-owner failed to restrain the dog or keep the dog in a contained, secure manner. (2) A court of common pleas may impose any of the following upon any person who is the owner or co-owner of a dog under paragraph (1): (i) A civil penalty of up to $15,000. (ii) Reparations for veterinary costs in treating the guide, hearing or service dog and, if necessary, the cost of retraining the dog or of obtaining and training a replacement guide, hearing or service dog. 8
(iii) Loss of income for the time the individual is unable to work due to the unavailability of the guide, hearing or service dog. (b) Regulating certain actions concerning fowl or rabbits. A person commits a summary offense if he sells, offers for sale, barters, or gives away baby chickens, ducklings, or other fowl, under one month of age, or rabbits under two months of age, as pets, toys, premiums or novelties or if he colors, dyes, stains or otherwise changes the natural color of baby chickens, ducklings or other fowl, or rabbits or if he brings or transports the same into this Commonwealth. This section shall not be construed to prohibit the sale or display of such baby chickens, ducklings, or other fowl, or such rabbits, in proper facilities by persons engaged in the business of selling them for purposes of commercial breeding and raising. (c) Cruelty to animals. (1) A person commits an offense if he wantonly or cruelly illtreats, overloads, beats, otherwise abuses any animal, or neglects any animal as to which he has a duty of care, whether belonging to himself or otherwise, or abandons any animal, or deprives any animal of necessary sustenance, drink, shelter or veterinary care, or access to clean and sanitary shelter which will protect the animal against inclement weather and preserve the animal's body heat and keep it dry. (2) (i) Except as provided in subparagraph (ii), a person 9
convicted of violating paragraph (1) commits a summary offense. (ii) A person convicted for a second or subsequent time of violating paragraph (1) commits a misdemeanor of the third degree if all of the following occurred: (A) The action or omission for which the person was convicted for a subsequent time was performed on a dog or cat. (B) The dog or cat was seriously injured, suffered severe physical distress or was placed at imminent risk of serious physical harm as the result of the person's action or omission. (3) This subsection shall not apply to activity undertaken in normal agricultural operation. (d) Selling or using disabled horse. A person commits a summary offense if he offers for sale or sells any horse, which by reason of debility, disease or lameness, or for other cause, could not be worked or used without violating the laws against cruelty to animals, or leads, rides, drives or transports any such horse for any purpose, except that of conveying the horse to the nearest available appropriate facility for its humane keeping or destruction or for medical or surgical treatment. (e) Transporting animals in cruel manner. A person commits a summary offense if he carries, or causes, 10
or allows to be carried in or upon any cart, or other vehicle whatsoever, any animal in a cruel or inhumane manner. The person taking him into custody may take charge of the animal and of any such vehicle and its contents, and deposit the same in some safe place of custody, and any necessary expenses which may be incurred for taking charge of and keeping the same, and sustaining any such animal, shall be a lien thereon, to be paid before the same can lawfully be recovered, or the said expenses or any part thereof remaining unpaid may be recovered by the person incurring the same from the owner of said creature in any action therefor. For the purposes of this section, it shall not be deemed cruel or inhumane to transport live poultry in crates so long as not more than 15 pounds of live poultry are allocated to each cubic foot of space in the crate. e.1) Transporting equine animals in cruel manner. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a person commits a summary offense for each equine animal if the person carries, or causes or allows to be carried, any equine animal in or upon any conveyance or other vehicle whatsoever with two or more levels stacked on top of one another. A person who violates this subsection on a second or subsequent occasion commits a misdemeanor of the third degree for each equine animal transported. 11
(f) Hours of labor of animals. A person commits a summary offense if he leads, drives, rides or works or causes or permits any other person to lead, drive, ride or work any horse, mare, mule, ox, or any other animal, whether belonging to himself or in his possession or control, for more than 15 hours in any 24 hour period, or more than 90 hours in any one week. Nothing in this subsection contained shall be construed to warrant any persons leading, driving, riding or walking any animal a less period than 15 hours, when so doing shall in any way violate the laws against cruelty to animals. (g) Cruelty to cow to enhance appearance of udder. A person commits a summary offense if he kneads or beats or pads the udder of any cow, or willfully allows it to go unmilked for a period of 24 hours or more, for the purpose of enhancing the appearance or size of the udder of said cow, or by a muzzle or any other device prevents its calf, if less than six weeks old, from obtaining nourishment, and thereby relieving the udder of said cow, for a period of 24 hours. (h) Specific violations; prima facie evidence of violation. (1) (i) A person commits a summary offense if the person crops, trims or cuts off, or causes or procures to be cropped, trimmed or cut off, the whole or part of the ear or ears of a dog. 12
(ii) The provisions of this paragraph shall not prevent a veterinarian from cropping, trimming or cutting off the whole or part of the ear or ears of a dog when the dog is anesthetized and shall not prevent any person from causing or procuring the cropping, trimming or cutting off of a dog's ear or ears by a veterinarian. (iii) The possession by any person of a dog with an ear or ears cropped, trimmed or cut off and with the wound or incision site resulting therefrom unhealed, or any such dog being found in the charge or custody of any person or confined upon the premises owned by or under the control of any person, shall be prima facie evidence of a violation of this subsection by the person except as provided for in this subsection. (iv) A person who procures the cropping, trimming or cutting off of the whole or part of an ear or ears of a dog shall record the procedure. The record shall include the name of the attending veterinarian and the date and location at which the procedure was performed. The record shall be kept as long as the wound or incision site is unhealed and shall be transferred with the dog during that period of time. (2) (i) A person commits a summary offense if the person debarks a dog by cutting, causing or procuring the cutting of its vocal cords or by altering, causing or procuring the alteration of any part of its resonance chamber. (ii) The provisions of this paragraph shall not prevent a veterinarian from cutting the vocal cords or otherwise altering 13
the resonance chamber of a dog when the dog is anesthetized and shall not prevent a person from causing or procuring a debarking procedure by a veterinarian. (iii) The possession by any person of a dog with the vocal cords cut or the resonance chamber otherwise altered and with the wound or incision site resulting therefrom unhealed, or any such dog being found in the charge or custody of any person or confined upon the premises owned by or under the control of any person, shall be prima facie evidence of a violation of this paragraph by the person, except as provided in this paragraph. (iv) A person who procures the cutting of vocal cords or the alteration of the resonance chamber of a dog shall record the procedure. The record shall include the name of the attending veterinarian and the date and location at which the procedure was performed. The record shall be kept as long as the wound or incision site is unhealed and shall be transferred with the dog during that period of time. (3) (i) A person commits a summary offense if the person docks, cuts off, causes or procures the docking or cutting off of the tail of a dog over five days old. (ii) The provisions of this paragraph shall not prevent a veterinarian from docking, cutting off or cropping the whole or part of the tail of a dog when the dog is at least 12 weeks of age and the procedure is performed using general anesthesia and shall not prevent a person from causing or procuring the 14
cutting off or docking of a tail of a dog by a veterinarian as provided in this paragraph. (iii) The provisions of this section shall not prevent a veterinarian from surgically removing, docking, cutting off or cropping the tail of a dog between five days and 12 weeks of age if, in the veterinarian's professional judgment, the procedure is medically necessary for the health and welfare of the dog. If the procedure is performed, it shall be done in accordance with generally accepted standards of veterinary practice. (iv) The possession by any person of a dog with a tail cut off or docked and with the wound or incision site resulting therefrom unhealed, or any such dog being found in the charge or custody of any person or confined upon the premises owned by or under the control of any person, shall be prima facie evidence of a violation of this paragraph by the person, except as provided in this paragraph. (v) A person who procures the cutting off or docking of a tail of a dog shall record the procedure. The record shall include the name of the attending veterinarian and the date and location at which the procedure was performed. The record shall be kept as long as the wound or incision site is unhealed and shall be transferred with the dog during that period of time. (4) (i) A person commits a summary offense if the person surgically births or causes or procures a surgical birth. 15
(ii) The provisions of this section shall not prevent a veterinarian from surgically birthing a dog when the dog is anesthetized and shall not prevent any person from causing or procuring a surgical birthing by a veterinarian. (iii) The possession by any person of a dog with a wound or incision site resulting from a surgical birth unhealed, or any such dog being found in the charge or custody of any person or confined upon the premises owned by or under the control of any person, shall be prima facie evidence of a violation of this paragraph by the person, except as provided in this paragraph. (iv) A person who procures the surgical birth of a dog shall record the procedure. The record shall include the name of the attending veterinarian and the date and location at which the procedure was performed. The record shall be kept as long as the wound or incision site is unhealed and shall be transferred with the dog during that period of time. (v) This paragraph shall not apply to personnel required to comply with standards to minimize pain to an animal set forth in section 2143(a)(3) of the Animal Welfare Act (Public Law 89-544, 7 U.S.C. 2131 et seq.), trained in accordance with section 2143(d) of the Animal Welfare Act, who work in a federally registered research facility required to comply with the Animal Welfare Act under the guidance or oversight of a veterinarian. (5) (i) A person commits a summary offense if the person cuts 16
off or causes or procures the cutting off of the dewclaw of a dog over five days old. (ii) The provisions of this paragraph shall not prevent a veterinarian from cutting the dewclaw and shall not prevent a person from causing or procuring the procedure by a veterinarian. (iii) The possession by any person of a dog with the dewclaw cut off and with the wound or incision site resulting therefrom unhealed, or any such dog being found in the charge or custody of any person or confined upon the premises owned by or under the control of any person, shall be prima facie evidence of a violation of this paragraph by the person, except as provided in this paragraph. (iv) A person who procures the cutting off of the dewclaw of a dog shall record the procedure. The record shall include the name of the attending veterinarian and the date and location at which the procedure was performed. The record shall be kept as long as the wound or incision site is unhealed and shall be transferred with the dog during that period of time. (h.1) Animal fighting. A person commits a felony of the third degree if he: (1) for amusement or gain, causes, allows or permits any animal to engage in animal fighting; (2) receives compensation for the admission of another person to any place kept or used for animal fighting; 17
(3) owns, possesses, keeps, trains, promotes, purchases, steals or acquires in any manner or knowingly sells any animal for animal fighting; (4) in any way knowingly encourages, aids or assists therein; (5) wagers on the outcome of an animal fight; (6) pays for admission to an animal fight or attends an animal fight as a spectator; or (7) knowingly permits any place under his control or possession to be kept or used for animal fighting. This subsection shall not apply to activity undertaken in a normal agricultural operation. (h.2) Possession of animal fighting paraphernalia. In addition to any other penalty provided by law, a person commits a misdemeanor of the third degree if he knowingly owns or possesses animal fighting paraphernalia. 1 (i) Power to initiate criminal proceedings. An agent of any society or association for the prevention of 1 This section was added to the cruelty statute Sept. 10, 2015 and the first case charged under this section settled in August 2016 with a plea of guilty to eight counts of animal cruelty. See Comm. v. Molina, Docket Number: CP-15-CR-0004520-2015 (Chester County). As of the date of this revision, a second case under this section has been brought in Philadelphia: Comm. v. Reyes, CP-51-CR-0002823-2016 trial is scheduled for April 21, 2017. 18
cruelty to animals, incorporated under the laws of the Commonwealth, shall have the same powers to initiate criminal proceedings provided for police officers by the Pennsylvania Rules of Criminal Procedure. An agent of any society or association for the prevention of cruelty to animals, incorporated under the laws of this Commonwealth, shall have standing to request any court of competent jurisdiction to enjoin any violation of this section. (j) Seizure of animals kept or used for animal fighting. Any police officer or agent of a society or association for the prevention of cruelty to animals incorporated under the laws of this Commonwealth, shall have power to seize any animal kept, used, or intended to be used for animal fighting. When the seizure is made, the animal or animals so seized shall not be deemed absolutely forfeited, but shall be held by the officer or agent seizing the same until a conviction of some person is first obtained for a violation of subsection (h.1) or forfeiture is obtained under the act of July 9, 2013 (P.L.263, No.50), known as the Costs of Care of Seized Animals Act. The officer or agent making such seizure shall make due return to the issuing authority, of the number and kind of animals or creatures so seized by him. Where an animal is thus seized, the police officer or agent is authorized to provide such care as is reasonably necessary, and where any animal thus seized is found to be disabled, injured or diseased beyond reasonable hope of recovery, the police officer or agent is authorized to 19
provide for the humane destruction of the animal. In addition to any other penalty provided by law, the authority imposing sentence upon a conviction for any violation of subsection (h.1) shall order the forfeiture or surrender of any abused, neglected or deprived animal of the defendant to any society or association for the prevention of cruelty to animals duly incorporated under the laws of this Commonwealth and shall require that the owner pay the cost of the keeping, care and destruction of the animal. (k) Killing homing pigeons. A person commits a summary offense if he shoots, maims or kills any antwerp or homing pigeon, either while on flight or at rest, or detains or entraps any such pigeon which carries the name of its owner. (l) Search warrants. Where a violation of this section is alleged, any issuing authority may, in compliance with the applicable provisions of the Pennsylvania Rules of Criminal Procedure, issue to any police officer or any agent of any society or association for the prevention of cruelty to animals duly incorporated under the laws of this Commonwealth a search warrant authorizing the search of any building or any enclosure in which any violation of this section is occurring or has occurred, and authorizing the seizure of evidence of the violation including, but not 20
limited to, the animals which were the subject of the violation. Where an animal thus seized is found to be neglected or starving, the police officer or agent is authorized to provide such care as is reasonably necessary, and where any animal thus seized is found to be disabled, injured or diseased beyond reasonable hope of recovery, the police officer or agent is authorized to provide for the humane destruction of the animal. The cost of the keeping, care and destruction of the animal shall be paid by the owner thereof and claims for the costs shall constitute a lien upon the animal. In addition to any other penalty provided by law, the authority imposing sentence upon a conviction for any violation of this section may require that the owner pay the cost of the keeping, care and destruction of the animal. No search warrant shall be issued based upon an alleged violation of this section which authorizes any police officer or agent or other person to enter upon or search premises where scientific research work is being conducted by, or under the supervision of, graduates of duly accredited scientific schools or where biological products are being produced for the care or prevention of disease. (m) Forfeiture. In addition to any other penalty provided by law, the authority imposing sentence upon a conviction for any violation of this section may order the forfeiture or surrender of any abused, neglected or deprived animal of the defendant to any society or association for the prevention of cruelty to animals duly 21
incorporated under the laws of this Commonwealth. (m.1) Fine for summary offense. In addition to any other penalty provided by law, a person convicted of a summary offense under this section shall pay a fine of not less than $50 nor more than $750 or to imprisonment for not more than 90 days, or both. (m.2) Prohibition of ownership. Notwithstanding any provision of law and in addition to any other penalty provided by law, the authority imposing sentence upon a conviction for any violation of this section may order the prohibition or limitation of the defendant's ownership, possession, control or custody of animals or employment with the care of animals for a period of time not to exceed the statutory maximum term of imprisonment applicable to the offense for which sentence is being imposed. (n) Skinning of and selling or buying pelts of dogs and cats. A person commits a summary offense if he skins a dog or cat or offers for sale or exchange or offers to buy or exchange the pelt or pelts of any dog or cat. (o) Representation of humane society by attorney. Upon prior authorization and approval by the district attorney of the county in which the proceeding is held, an association 22
or agent may be represented in any proceeding under this section by any attorney admitted to practice before the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania and in good standing. Attorney's fees shall be borne by the humane society or association which is represented. (o.1) Construction of section. The provisions of this section shall not supersede the act of December 7, 1982 (P.L.784, No.225), known as the Dog Law. (p) Applicability of section. This section shall not apply to, interfere with or hinder any activity which is authorized or permitted pursuant to the act of June 3, 1937 (P.L.1225, No.316), known as The Game Law or Title 34 (relating to game). (q) Definitions. As used in this section, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings given to them in this subsection: "Animal fighting." Fighting or baiting any bull, bear, dog, cock or other creature. "Animal fighting paraphernalia." Any device, implement, object or drug used or intended to be used for animal fighting, to train an animal for animal fighting or in furtherance of animal fighting. In determining whether an object is animal fighting paraphernalia, a court or other authority should 23
consider statements by an owner or by anyone in control of the object concerning its use, any prior convictions under Federal or State law relating to animal fighting, the proximity of the object in time and space to the direct violation of this section, direct or circumstantial evidence of the intent of the accused to deliver the object to persons whom he or she knows or should reasonably know intends to use the object to facilitate a violation of this section, oral or written instructions provided with or in the vicinity of the object concerning its use, descriptive materials accompanying the object which explain or depict its use and all other logically relevant factors. "Audibly impaired." The inability to hear air conduction thresholds at an average of 40 decibels or greater in the better ear. "Blind." Having a visual acuity of 20/200 or less in the better eye with correction or having a limitation of the field of vision such that the widest diameter of the visual field subtends an angular distance not greater than 20 degrees. "Conveyance." A truck, tractor, trailer or semitrailer, or any combination of these, propelled or drawn by mechanical power. "Deaf." Totally impaired hearing or hearing with or without amplification which is so seriously impaired that the primary means of receiving spoken language is through other sensory input, including, but not limited to, lip reading, sign language, finger spelling or reading. 24
"Domestic animal." Any dog, cat, equine animal, bovine animal, sheep, goat or porcine animal. "Domestic fowl." Any avis raised for food, hobby or sport. "Equine animal." Any member of the Equidae family, which includes horses, asses, mules, ponies and zebras. "Normal agricultural operation." Normal activities, practices and procedures that farmers adopt, use or engage in year after year in the production and preparation for market of poultry, livestock and their products in the production and harvesting of agricultural, agronomic, horticultural, silvicultural and aquicultural crops and commodities. "Physically limited." Having limited ambulation, including, but not limited to, a temporary or permanent impairment or condition that causes an individual to use a wheelchair or walk with difficulty or insecurity, affects sight or hearing to the extent that an individual is insecure or exposed to danger, causes faulty coordination or reduces mobility, flexibility, coordination or perceptiveness. "Zoo animal." Any member of the class of mammalia, aves, amphibia or reptilia which is kept in a confined area by a public body or private individual for purposes of observation by the general public. References in Text. The act of June 3, 1937 (P.L.1225, No.316), known as The Game Law, referred to in subsec. (a), was repealed by the act of July 8, 1986 (P.L.442, No.93). The subject matter is now contained in Title 34 (Game). 25
Cross References. Section 5511 is referred to in sections 3702, 3705, 3708, 3710, 3716 of Title 22 (Detectives and Private Police); section 2385 of Title 34 (Game); section 3573 of Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure). 2. Humane Society Police Officers Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, Title 22: Detectives and Private Police, Chapter 37, 22 Pa.C.S.A. 3701 3718 3701. Scope of chapter. This chapter deals with humane society police officers. 3702. Definitions. The following words and phrases when used in this chapter shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the context clearly indicates otherwise: "Agricultural animal." Any bovine animal, equine animal, sheep, goat, pig, poultry, bird, fowl, wild or semiwild animal or fish or other aquatic animal that is being raised, kept, transported or utilized for the purpose of or pursuant to agricultural production. "Agricultural production." The production and preparation for market of agricultural animals and their products and of agricultural, agronomic, horticultural, silvicultural and aquacultural crops and commodities. "Board." The Humane Society Police Officer Advisory Board. 26
"Complainant." Any person who has evidence that an individual appointed as a humane society police officer has performed in a manner that is contrary to the standards, requirements and qualifications prescribed in this chapter for appointment of individuals as humane society police officers. The term also includes a district attorney or a municipal solicitor. "Convicted." A finding or verdict of guilt, an admission of guilt or a plea of nolo contendere or receiving probation without verdict, disposition in lieu of trial or an Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition in the disposition of felony charges. "Cruelty to animals laws." The provisions of 18 Pa.C.S. 5511 (relating to cruelty to animals). "Department." The Department of Agriculture of the Commonwealth. "Humane society police officer." Any person who holds a current appointment under this chapter to act as a humane society police officer for a society or association for the prevention of cruelty to animals. The term shall include an individual who is an agent of a society or association for the prevention of cruelty to animals as "agent" is used in 18 Pa.C.S. 5511 (relating to cruelty to animals), provided that individual holds a current appointment under this chapter. "Secretary." The Secretary of Agriculture of the Commonwealth. "Serious misdemeanor." A criminal offense for which more 27
than one year in prison can be imposed as a punishment. "Society or association." A nonprofit society or association duly incorporated pursuant to 15 Pa.C.S. Ch. 53 Subch. A (relating to incorporation generally) for the purpose of the prevention of cruelty to animals. 3703. Appointment required. It shall be unlawful for any individual to hold himself forth as a humane society police officer unless the individual has obtained an appointment pursuant to this chapter. 3704. Appointment by nonprofit corporations. (a) Application for appointment.--a society or association may apply to the court of common pleas in any county for the appointment of an individual as a humane society police officer for that county. The court, upon such application which includes proof of qualification under section 3705 (relating to qualifications for appointment), shall by order appoint such person to be a humane society police officer. (b) Oath.--Every individual appointed as a humane society police officer pursuant to this chapter shall, before entering upon the duties of the office, take and subscribe to the oath required by Article VI of the Constitution of Pennsylvania. Cross References. Section 3704 is referred to in section 3718 of this title. 28
3705. Qualifications for appointment. An individual shall be qualified for an appointment as a humane society police officer provided the society or association submits proof satisfactory to the court of common pleas in each county for which the society or association directs the individual to act as a humane society police officer that the individual meets all of the following requirements: (1) Has been a resident of this Commonwealth for the previous 12 months. (2) Has successfully completed the training program established pursuant to section 3712 (relating to training program). (3) Has obtained a criminal history report from the Pennsylvania State Police pursuant to 18 Pa.C.S. Ch. 91 (relating to criminal history record information) or a statement from the Pennsylvania State Police that the Pennsylvania State Police central repository contains no pertinent information relating to the individual who is the subject of the application. The criminal history record information shall be limited to that which may be disseminated pursuant to 18 Pa.C.S. 9121(b)(2) (relating to general regulations). (4) Has not been convicted of an offense graded a felony or a serious misdemeanor. (5) Has not been convicted of any violation, including a summary offense, of 18 Pa.C.S. 5511 (relating to cruelty to animals). 29
(6) Has not been convicted of an offense in another jurisdiction, state, territory or country in accordance with the laws of that jurisdiction, state, territory or country equivalent to an offense graded a felony or a serious misdemeanor or an offense of cruelty to animals. Cross References. Section 3705 is referred to in section 3704 of this title. 3706. Suspension, revocation, limitation and restriction of appointment; restoration of appointment. (a) Grounds for suspension, revocation, limitation or restriction.--by its own action or pursuant to a written affidavit filed by a complainant, the court of common pleas may, after conducting a hearing, suspend, revoke, limit or restrict an appointment of an individual to act as a humane society police officer in the county if the court determines any of the following: (1) Being convicted of a felony or a serious misdemeanor in any Federal or State court or being convicted of the equivalent of a felony in any foreign country, territory or possession. (2) Being convicted of an offense of cruelty to animals in any Federal or State court or being convicted of the equivalent of a cruelty to animals offense in any foreign country, territory or possession. (3) Presenting false credentials or documents or making a false or misleading statement in the application for appointment or a certification of completion of additional training or submitting 30
an application for appointment or a certification for completion of additional training containing a false or misleading statement. (4) Carrying or possessing a firearm in the performance of his or her duties without certification pursuant to section 3711 (relating to limitation on possession of firearms). (5) The individual has conducted his or her authority to enforce animal cruelty laws in a manner that is substandard of conduct normally expected of humane society police officers. (b) Notice to department.--upon action by the court of common pleas to suspend, revoke, limit or restrict an appointment, the clerk of courts of the county shall forward such information to the department for the purpose of the Statewide registry established pursuant to section 3714 (relating to Statewide registry). (c) Restoration.--The court of common pleas may restore a suspended appointment of an individual if the individual provides to the court evidence sufficient to warrant restoration and the court determines the grounds for suspension have been satisfactorily corrected and the individual otherwise qualifies for appointment. 3707. Termination of appointment. (a) General rule.--all powers and authority granted to an individual under section 3708 (relating to powers and authority; jurisdiction) shall immediately terminate upon 31
notice to the individual from the society or association for which appointed that services are no longer required of the individual. (b) Notice to court.--the society or association must file notice within ten days of a termination of an individual as a humane society police officer with the clerk of courts in each county in which the individual has been appointed as a humane society police officer. (c) Notice to department.--the society or association must file notice within ten days of a termination of an individual as a humane society police officer with the department for the purpose of providing information relevant to the Statewide registry established pursuant to section 3714 (relating to Statewide registry). 3708. Powers and authority; jurisdiction. (a) Authority limited to county of appointment.--an individual appointed as a humane society police officer in accordance with this chapter shall have power and authority to exercise the powers conferred under 18 Pa.C.S. 5511 (relating to cruelty to animals) in enforcement of animal cruelty laws only within the particular county whose court of common pleas issued the appointment. The individual has no power or authority to exercise the powers conferred under 18 Pa.C.S. 5511 in any other county whose court of common pleas has not issued an appointment. 32
(b) Notice to district attorney.--prior to exercising the power and authority set forth by this chapter within a county, each appointed humane society police officer shall file notice, along with a copy of the appointment granted under this chapter, with the district attorney of the county. (c) Shield.--Every individual appointed as a humane society police officer under this chapter shall possess a metallic shield with the words "humane society police officer" and the name of the society or association for which the individual is appointed displayed thereon. (d) Photo identification.--every individual appointed as a humane society police officer under this chapter shall have a photo identification card issued by the department that contains the following: (1) A photo of the individual taken within the previous 24 months. (2) The name of the individual. (3) The signature of the individual. (4) The name of the society or association for which the individual is appointed as a humane society police officer. (5) The address and telephone number of the society or association for which the individual is appointed as a humane society police officer. (6) The date of issuance of the photo identification card. Cross References. Section 3708 is referred to in 3707, 3713 of this title. 33
3709. Penalties. (a) Criminal penalties.--a person who violates this chapter commits a misdemeanor of the third degree and shall, upon conviction, be sentenced to pay a fine of up to $1,000 or to imprisonment for not more than 90 days, or both. (b) Civil penalties.--in addition to any criminal penalties or other civil remedy, a person, association or society who violates this chapter may be subject to a civil penalty of up to $1,000. Cross References. Section 3709 is referred to in section 3717 of this title. 3710. Search warrants. Notwithstanding contrary provisions of 18 Pa.C.S. 5511(1) (relating to cruelty to animals) and in addition to the requirements of existing law, all search warrant applications filed in connection with alleged violations of cruelty to animals laws must have the approval of the district attorney in the county of the alleged offense prior to filing. 3711. Limitation on possession of firearms. No individual appointed as a humane society police officer shall carry, possess or use a firearm in the performance of that individual's duties unless that individual holds a current and valid certification in the use and handling of firearms pursuant to at least one of the following: 34
(1) 53 Pa.C.S. Ch. 21 Subch. D (relating to municipal police education and training). (2) The act of October 10, 1974 (P.L.705, No.235), known as the Lethal Weapons Training Act. (3) The act of February 9, 1984 (P.L.3, No.2), known as the Deputy Sheriffs' Education and Training Act. (4) Any other firearms program that has been determined by the Commissioner of the Pennsylvania State Police to be of sufficient scope and duration as to provide the participant with basic training in the use and handling of firearms. Cross References. Section 3711 is referred to in section 3706 of this title. 3712. Training program. (a) Required training.--every individual, prior to the society or association making application for appointment as a humane society police officer, shall successfully complete the minimum requirements for initial training prescribed in the program for initial training of humane society police officers established in accordance with subsections (b), (c), (d) and (e). (b) Contracts.--The secretary, with the advice of the board, shall contract with an accredited college or university, including a community college or other public or private entity, for the establishment of a program for the training of individuals to act as humane society police officers. The contracted entity shall forward information pertaining to an individual's successful completion of the initial training 35
program to the department for the purpose of maintaining the Statewide registry established pursuant to section 3714 (relating to Statewide registry). (c) Minimum requirements.--the program for the training of humane society police officers shall include at a minimum 60 hours of instruction in accordance with subsection (d). (d) Curriculum.--The program for the training of humane society police officers shall provide instruction in the following instructional areas: (1) At least 36 hours of instruction shall be provided on the following: (i) Pennsylvania cruelty to animal laws. (ii) Pennsylvania Rules of Criminal Procedure. (iii) Care and treatment of animals. (iv) Proper execution of search warrants. (v) Proper search and seizure practices. (vi) Any other areas relating to law enforcement duties. (2) At least 24 hours of instruction shall be provided on the following: (i) Animal husbandry practices constituting normal agricultural operation. (ii) Practices accepted in the agricultural industry in the raising, keeping and production of agricultural animals. (iii) Characteristics of agricultural animals likely evidencing 36
care that is in violation of the cruelty to animal laws. (iv) Proper care and handling of agricultural animals pursuant to enforcement of the cruelty to animals laws. (v) Treatments administered and research conducted during the normal scope of veterinarian practices. (e) Final examination.--the training program shall require individuals, as a prerequisite to successful completion of the program, to take and pass a final examination that sufficiently measures the individuals's knowledge and understanding of the instructional material. (f) Current officers.--individuals who have been appointed as humane society police officers prior to the effective date of this chapter are exempt from the initial training requirements pursuant to this section provided that the individual can provide proof to the secretary of successful completion of a similar training program for humane society police officers established under the act of December 12, 1994 (P.L.956, No.135), known as the Humane Society Police Officer Enforcement Act. Cross References. Section 3712 is referred to in sections 3705, 3714 of this title. 3713. Continuing education program. (a) Required training.--during each two-year period following the date in which an individual has been initially appointed as a humane society police officer, the individual 37
shall successfully complete the minimum requirements for additional training prescribed in the program for continuous education of humane society police officers established in accordance with subsections (b), (c), (d) and (e). (b) Contracts.--The secretary, with the advice of the board, shall contract with an accredited college or university, including a community college or other public or private entity, for the establishment of a continuing education program for the training of individuals to act as humane society police officers. The contracted entity shall forward information pertaining to an individual's successful completion of the continuing education program to the department for the purpose of maintaining the Statewide registry established pursuant to section 3714 (relating to Statewide registry.) (c) Minimum requirements.--the continuing education program for the training of humane society police officers shall include at a minimum ten hours of instruction in accordance with subsection (d). (d) Curriculum.--The program for the training of humane society police officers shall provide instruction in the following instructional areas: (1) At least six hours of instruction shall be provided on the following: (i) Pennsylvania cruelty to animals laws. (ii) Pennsylvania Rules of Criminal Procedure. 38