North Penn Puppy Mill Watch

NEW!!  -  View The Face of Chaining in Pennsylvania - Click HERE

State Representative Kate Harper of Pennsylania's District 61 sits on the Judiciary Committee and recently voted FOR House Bill 1065 - Limited Tethering - but is now vacillating. 

This simple piece of legislation seeks to LIMIT the number of hours in a day a dog may be tethered outside - IT DOES NOT BAN TETHERING.  Pennsylvania's current criminal code DOES NOT protect or afford any relief to any dog abused or neglected due to tethering.

When the Judiciary Committee met, Pennsylvania Legislative Services reported the following:

"Rep. Harper stated she has misgivings with the bill, noting that a situation of cruelty described by Rep. Scavello should already be a violation of the law. She opined that instituting a "per se" rule won't automatically mean dogs will no longer be mistreated. Rep. Scavello countered this bill will prevent a certain amount of cruelty from occurring. 

Rep. Harper suggested the bill should be withdrawn to add language, similar to Rep. Vitali's suggestion, to allow for discretion in determining if a dog on a chain is cruelty."

"The Face of Chaining in Pennsylvania" duly represents both distress and cruelty - view it by clicking HERE. This IS abuse. This IS neglect. This IS the result of unregulated tethering and in Pennsylvania, most of what you see in this presentation is perfectly legal. 

House Bill 1065 will provide a valuable tool for humane officers and dog wardens alike when addressing situations of cruelty, neglect or abuse and responsible pet owners have absolutely nothing to fear from this proposed law.  Dogs, on the other hand, and especially those who live lonely lives of solitude and are lacking adequate shelter, food, water and veterinary care, have everything to gain by the passage of this Bill.  Furthermore, HB-1065 does NOT allow for Humane Police Officers to enter onto private property and seize a dog simply because the canine is tethered and to suggest otherwise is simply ridiculous.

ACTION REQUESTED

1)  READ THE BILL:  CLICK HERE

2)  CONTACT REPRESENTATIVE KATE HARPER:

A specific plea is being made to constituents residing in Pennsylvania's 61st District, represented by Kate Harper, to make a phone call and encourage her to vote FOR HB-1065 without amendments.  Harper is not convinced that a dog sentenced to a life of solitude at the end of a chain is cruel and abusive.
 
The 61st District in Pennsylvania includes portions of Plymouth Township, Whitpain Township, Lower Gwynedd Township, Upper Gwynedd Township, Montgomery Township, Towamencin Township and North Wales Borough.
 
If you're not sure whether Kate Harper is your state representative, please visit:
 
http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/legis/home/member_information/representatives_alpha.cfm
 
and enter your zip + 4 zip code.

IF YOU CALL
 
Politely remind Representative Harper that:
 
1)  it has been scientifically proven that dogs ARE pack animals and that life on the end of a chain is detrimental to their well-being;
 
2)  dogs placed on the end of a chain fall victim to the out of sight/out of mind mentality and frequently do not receive regular feedings or the replenishment of fresh water along with necessary veterinary care;
 
3)  chained dogs are subject to many more health risks than dogs who live as part of the family including worms, fleas, ticks, rabies, attacks from other animals and even humans;
 
4)  chaining actually increases the possibility for any dog to become aggressive and/or territorial and can ultimately pose a danger to those, including children, who wander into their territory;
 
5)  24/7 chaining is a dog fighter's best friend.  The prohibition of perpetual chaining will absolutely throw a wrench into any dog fighter's enterprise and dog fighting rings encourage illegal gambling, drugs, guns and other unsavory and unwanted elements in our communities; and, MOST IMPORTANTLY,
 
6)  HB-1065 is a TOOL to help protect animals.  Individuals who chain or tether their dogs for short periods of time throughout the day or after 10PM will not have to fear having their dogs confiscated.  The enactment of HB-1065 WILL NOT create a special team of anti-tether humane officers to seek out chained dogs and no humane police officer will be permitted to enter onto private property and seize a dog simply because they are tethered; to suggest otherwise is simply ridiculous!  Instead, HB-1065 will offer humane officers the ability to fine individuals and/or remove dogs who are obviously being neglected or abused DUE TO CHAINING.
 
Contact Information for Kate Harper:
 
District Office:
1515 DeKalb Pike
Suite 106
Blue Bell, PA 19422
Phone: 610-277-3230
Fax: 610-270-1677
Hours: M-F 8:30 - 4:00
 
Capitol Office:
Room 149A East Wing
PO Box 202061
Harrisburg, PA 17120-2061
Phone: 717-787-2801
Fax: 717-787-2022
 
Email:  Click HERE
 
Animal abuse, cruelty and neglect is VERY REAL in Pennsylvania.  The Philadelphia Inquirer recently ran the story:  PSPCA: Animal Cruelty is EPIDEMIC in the City.  The read the article, click HERE.

Please feel free to cross-post the above information to canine advocacy groups and online bulletin boards.  As this Bill may go to the House floor for a vote in the very near future, time is of the essence - PLEASE CONTACT HARPER ASAP.
 
Thanks for caring about Pennsylvania's dogs!

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