Cruelty to animals is a crime in Pennsylvania, just as it is in every other state. If you wanted to report a violation, you could contact your local police but they would likely refer you to a local humane society or SPCA. Under Pennsylvania law, 18 Pa. C.S. Section 5511(i), nonprofit humane societies and associations for the prevention of cruelty to animals are authorized to investigate complaints and initiate criminal proceedings for violations of the state animal cruelty law. Sworn humane society police officers (HSPOs), usually employed by these nonprofits, have authority to obtain search warrants and injunctions and also seize animals or obtain their forfeiture or surrender.
Those officers’ authority to prosecute is limited to citations for summary offenses, which means a “fine of not less than $50 nor more than $750 or imprisonment for not more than 90 days, or both.” The prosecution of misdemeanor or felony animal-cruelty crimes requires district attorney involvement. However, most animal cruelty offenses in Pennsylvania are summary offenses and prosecuted only by a humane society police officer.
This content has been archived. It is available through our partners, LexisNexis® and Bloomberg Law.
To view this content, please continue to their sites.
Not a Lexis Subscriber?
Subscribe Now
Not a Bloomberg Law Subscriber?
Subscribe Now
LexisNexis® and Bloomberg Law are third party online distributors of the broad collection of current and archived versions of ALM's legal news publications. LexisNexis® and Bloomberg Law customers are able to access and use ALM's content, including content from the National Law Journal, The American Lawyer, Legaltech News, The New York Law Journal, and Corporate Counsel, as well as other sources of legal information.
For questions call 1-877-256-2472 or contact us at [email protected]
