State Representative Joe Hogan (R-Bucks) is introducing legislation for more protection of our furry friends.
Three bills are on the table. House Bill (HB) 529, HB 530 and HB 1057. Hogan is one of many co-sponsors of the bills. He is a life-long owner of dogs.
Speaking of mainly dogs, Hogan said he grew up with dogs and feels pets are important to children as they are a child’s friend, part of the family. Pets create stability in young people’s life. As an adult, pets are dependent on you for everything. It teaches greater responsibility since the adult is the one to take care of the pet.
HB529 is the safe transportation legislation. This bill is an amendment that provides for the offense of transporting dogs in an external section of vehicle. Hogan said this is a safety issue.
Photo Credit: Rep. Joe Hogan’s Video
According to the initial Bill Memo, the American Humane Society estimates that 100,000 dogs die every year as the result of being transported in the bed of a pickup truck by either falling out of the vehicle or being hit with debris. Extreme heat and cold, the impact of precipitation at high speeds are also a cause of injury to dogs travelling in an external part of a vehicle. Serious traffic accidents can occur if a dog falls or is thrown from a vehicle, putting people’s safety in jeopardy.
The Bill Memo also stated that it will not impact farmers’ or hunters’ ability to safely transport dogs on private farmland or hunting grounds. Do not leash your pet inside of a truck bed even when parked to avoid strangulation hazards and because open truck beds do not provide any protection from the weather.
“…….Don’t worry, your friend can still stick their head out the window,” Hogan said warmly.
HB 530 is the prohibition on certain individuals from owning certain animals.
The Animal Cruelty Act: Restrictions on Ownership (HB459) memorandum states that between August 27, 2017, and December 31, 2021, there were a little over 25,000 animal abuse offenses (54 percent due to neglect) filed in Pennsylvania. This tragedy continues to unfold due to lax laws that allow convicted animal abusers to find more victims as soon as they finish serving their sentence.
Photo Credit: Rep. Joe Hogan’s Video
The primary sponsor, Rep. Jeanne McNeill (D-Lehigh Valley) said in the memo this legislation would close this loophole and protect animals by requiring all convicted abusers to be prohibited from owning, possessing, controlling, or working with animals for at least two years. Abusers would be required to participate in violence prevention counseling and, in the case of failure to attend counseling or trying to have an animal, the prohibition would be extended and further counseling would be required.
HB 1057 is the shelter tax credit. An Act amending the act of March 4, 1971 (P.L.6, No.2), known as the Tax Reform Code of 1971, providing for shelter animal adoption tax credit.
This bill proposes amendments to the Tax Reform Code of 1971 in Pennsylvania to establish a tax credit program for residents who adopt shelter animals. The Shelter Animal Adoption Tax Credit Program aims to encourage adoption of such animals by offering a tax credit of $100 per adopted shelter animal, up to a maximum of three animals in a tax year.
Over 6 million dogs and cats are currently in shelters around the United States awaiting to be adopted into their forever homes. It is estimated that more than one million of those adoptable pets are euthanized in the United States each year. Individuals who adopt shelter pets instead of buying them help to dramatically reduce the number of euthanized animals, shown in the Shelter Animal Adoption Tax Credit (Formerly HB674).
Photo Credit: Rep. Joe Hogan’s Video
Hogan serves as state representative for Pennsylvania’s 142nd Legislative District. He is a member of the Animal Protection and Bi-Partisan caucuses along with other caucuses.
Click here to view an important video from Hogan on the pet protection bill package
Recent Comments