Pennsylvania Law on Dog Bites
Pennsylvania has passed several laws regarding dogs, including laws covering dog bites. The laws cover required insurance policies for dangerous dogs, categorize dog bites according to the damage that the bite causes to a person, and address the history of dangerous dogs. Dog bite law in Pennsylvania also explains how to restrain a dog that has bitten a person, as well as what happens to a dog that bites someone.
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Dangerous Dog Law
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Dangerous dog law is established by the state of Pennsylvania. This law applies to owners who possess dogs that have previously endangered humans. The law covers dogs that have attacked people, as well as livestock or other pets, without being provoked. Dangerous dog law also applies to dogs that were involved in helping lawbreakers commit crimes. These aggressive dogs must be covered by a surety bond of at least $50,000 dollars in Pennsylvania, according to the state of Connecticut.
Biting Dog Restraints
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Dangerous dogs must be restrained by their owners. A guard dog or other dangerous dog must be confined in a kennel or behind a fence. This fence must be at least six feet high and designed so that the dog cannot climb the fence from the side of the fence the dog is on, according to Reading County. Additionally, the dog must have a muzzle and a chain attached when it travels outside this enclosure.
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Impounding
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Dogs may be impounded if they have previously bitten someone and are found away from their owner's property without proper restraints. According to the city of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, the impounded dog will only be released on the orders of the Police Commissioner after the owner has paid applicable fines, including food and boarding costs for the dog.
Rabies
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Rabies is a concern with dog bites. A police officer is not allowed to release a dog to its owner once it is impounded if it is suspected that the dog has rabies. If the dog is on the owner's property it must remain there and have a muzzle attached, including situations where the dog was bitten by another dog that is suspected of having rabies. A dog suspected of having rabies and threatening to bite people may be killed by police without warning the dog owner.
Registration and Warnings
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Pennsylvania requires notification of the state authorities and registration of any dog that has bitten people. According to the state of Nebraska, Pennsylvania law requires the biting dog to wear tags that show that it has harmed someone, as well as clearly marked warning signs on the kennel or fence where the dog is kept on the owner's property. The warning signs must be standardized to ensure that all neighbors passing by know that the dog has bitten someone.
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References
- Photo Credit mailman safety poster image by robert mobley from Fotolia.com
Comments
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I have a neighbor who consistantly allows their dog to run free. The dog is very friendly and affectionate. The neighbor goes away for a week or weeks at a time while the animal runs free. It appears the dog is left with no shelter, food or water for long periods of time. It comes to my house for the basic needs. Attempts have been made to contact owner (messages left on the answering machine) but the dog continues to run free and is constantly trying to gain acccess to my home. The dog is a good dog and more recently the local hunters have notified me they will shoot the dog come hunting season. Being an animal lover, I would not want to see anything happen to the dog. This dog is in desperate need of grooming attention because it is tick and flee infested and I do not know if it has had any shots. This is a major concern to me since the dog continues to try to gain access to my home and will not stay away when I have the grandchiledren around or company. The neighbor has another dog, which runs free from time to time. A third dog was hit and distroyed by an automobilie. What can I do about the situation without the dog having to be distroyed? PS; I also take care of their cat which the neighbor stated she dislikes and no longer wants.
