North Penn Puppy Mill Watch

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

State Representative Robert Godshall of Pennsylania's 53rd District has an interesting viewpoint on Pennsylvania's dogs and conveyed the following information when he last responded about proposed legislation that would limit the number of hours in
a day a dog may be tethered:

"The major problem I see with the bill, is that it deals with mainly  house dogs, and I believe that most of the dogs we have in Pennsylvania are outside dogs.  The dogs that are outside are generally running around the farms unchained and in some cases chained."
                                                                                                                          -- Robert W. Godshall

This simply isn't true..... most dogs in Pennsylvania are NOT outside dogs and shouldn't Godshall's first concern be that of his constituents
in Montgomery County versus farmers or the state's agricultural industry?  The fact of the matter is that Pennsylvania House Bill 1065  EXEMPTS farmers and those individuals who own working dogs from the proposed legislation.

North Penn Puppy Mill Watch contacted Robert Godshall's office and provided him a copy of the presentation: The Face of Chaining in Pennsylvania.....  we know he received the information, thanks to USPS delivery confirmation, although 90 days later, he has yet to respond!

"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. 
 
If you live in Robert Godshall's district, won't you please take a moment and let him know that YOU support House Bill 1065?

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.

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 ROBERT GODSHALL:

Godshall is not convinced that a large majority of dogs in Pennsylvania do NOT live on farms and that dogs sentenced to a life of solitude at the end of a chain is cruel and abusive.  Won't you make a simple phone call to encourage him to VOTE FOR HB-1065 in it's original form and without amendments.
 
The 53rd District in Pennsylvania includes portions of Franconia Township, Hatfield, Hatfield Township, Lansdale, Souderton, Telford and Towamencin Township.
 
If you're not sure whether Robert Godshall 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 Godshall 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 Robert Godshall:
 
District Office:
1702 Cowpath Road
Hatfield, PA  19440

Hours: M-F 8:30 - 5:00

Phone:  215-368-3500
Fax:  215-361-4220

Capitol Office:
Room 150
Main Capitol
PO Box 202053
Harrisburg, PA 17120-2053

Phone: 717-783-6428 
Fax: 717-787-7424
 
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 GODSHALL ASAP.
 
Thanks for caring about Pennsylvania's dogs!

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