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| Another 2 year legislative session has ended and in the final hectic
hours of the session, near midnight on November 24, a bill was passed that
will close the loophole in the Live Animals as Prizes section of 5511.
An amendment offered by Senator Stewart Greenleaf to HB 689 (an unrelated Crimes Code bill) adds the following words to 5511.1 (a): “ No person operating any drawing, lottery, contest, sweepstake(s) or other game shall sell or offer to sell any live animal, except fish, in conjunction with the operation of a drawing, lottery contest, sweepstakes or other game.” This amendment was a direct response to problems reported by humane officers in many parts of the state. They were frustrated in their attempts in enforce the existing law, because game operators were giving winners the opportunity to “buy” a rabbit or hermit crab for fifty cents or one dollar instead of giving the animal itself as the prize. The new language will prevent this and fulfill the original intent of the section which was to keep people from winning a live animal as easily as they might win a stuffed toy or plastic trophy at a carnival. Once again Senator Greenleaf sponsored language to benefit animals and Johnna Seeton of P.L.A.N. stayed with the bill until the end to make sure it went the whole distance. Our sincere thanks to both of them. It is time to consider our legislative goals for the next session. Please send any suggestions or comments to Anne Irwin.
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| On June ll, 1997 S. 182, the Dog Purchaser Protection Act (Puppy
Lemon Law), passed the House of Representatives by a unanimous vote. The
bill has been signed by the governor and is now law. This law is
enforced by the Attorney General's office. Read more
about it
This final vote is the conclusion of 9 years of effort on this bill. A unified effort in the final weeks and days by P.L.A.N., The Pennsylvania Federation of Dog Clubs and the Federated Humane Societies of PA paid off in getting this important vote before the summer recess. Thank you to everyone who made calls and wrote letters to legislators and kept the pressure on in the final days. The effort was well worth while! Senator Greenleaf deserves special thanks for sticking with this bill and giving it his full support for 9 years. |
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The Federated Humane Societies of Pennsylvania urges you to support the recently introduced legislation HB1139. This legislation seeks to outlaw the transportation of any equine animal in any vehicle with two or more levels. Please check out the Pennsylvania Legislative Animal Network for information on currently legislation concerning animal issues. |
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