If You Leave Your Pet Out In The Cold, You Could Receive Jail Time In Pennsylvania

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By Mandy Froelich / Truth Theory

Your furry best friend might have been born with a permanent coat. But, that doesn’t mean he or she is comfortable in freezing temperatures. In fact, it can be downright cruel to subject dogs to extreme weather conditions for more than 30 minutes. It is for this reason Pennsylvania passed a law in 2017 that makes leaving your pets out in the cold a felony.

The Dogington Post reports that in June 2017, Pennsylvania House Bill 1238, also known as Libre’s Law, was signed into law. Essentially, it provides protection for pets in Pennsylvania against cruelty and abuse.

The law mandates that even first-time offenders could face felony charges for neglecting or mistreating pets if the animal suffers bodily injury or death as a result. That includes leaving them out in the cold for a minimum of 30 minutes.

“Don’t leave them outside,” said Mercer County Humane Officer Paul Tobin. “The new law is pretty clear. Anything under 32 degrees, anything over 90 degrees, your dogs are not allowed outside for more than 30 minutes.”

Under the law, dogs cannot be left tethered outside for more than 30 minutes if outside temperatures dip below freezing, or 32 degrees Fahrenheit. Animal owners who are found guilty of this crime can now face felony animal cruelty charges and punishment, including up to 7 years in prison and a $15,000 fine.

To some, the law might seem extreme. But, it is part of a larger effort to reduce animal cruelty nationwide. To care for a pet is a privilege, not a right. The law aims to enforce this. 

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Source: Dogington Post

Image credit: 123RF

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