By WILLIAM STEVENS – Staff writer
A new tethering law in Pennsylvania that has strict regulations has put some dog owners on a much shorter leash.
Libre’s Law prevents dog owners from leaving their animals tethered outside their homes for more than nine hours in a 24-hour period. However, the animal may only be tethered for 30 minutes if the temperature is above 90 degrees or below 32 degrees.
The law, which took effect Monday, is a step in the right direction for Pennsylvania, according to Theresa Weldon, president of Precious Paws Animal Rescue in Franklin.
Weldon said animal cruelty in Pennsylvania can now be prosecuted as a third-degree felony.
“When the temp is below 32 degrees, water freezes,” said Weldon, thereby resulting in a thirsty animal.
And, Weldon said, if water spills onto the blanket and freezes, it can be worse for the dog than if it had no blanket.
Weldon said that although there could be an initial spike in animals being surrendered, it would eventually level off.
“People who intend to keep a dog outside will see that it’s illegal and will either commit to keeping their dog inside or get rid of it,” Weldon said.
The law was named for a puppy that was emaciated and left for dead in a trash can in Lancaster County in 2016.
Libre has since made a full recovery and even affixed an inky paw print to the bill bearing his name.
Oil City and Franklin police have begun enforcing it as of Tuesday afternoon.
“I like that there’s a cap on the amount of time (a dog can be tethered),” Oil City Police Chief Bob Wenner said. “It makes it more actionable from a law enforcement perspective.”
In addition, there is consideration for the length of the leash.
According to the law, the tether must be “of a type commonly used for the size and breed of the dog and is at least three times the length of the dog as measured from the tip of its nose to the base of its tail or 10 feet, whichever is longer.”
“From what I understand, that was always the standard,” Wenner said.
“Regardless of whether or not an animal is ready to deal with it, responsible pet ownership is important and reflects on the person more than anything.”
Franklin police Chief Kevin Anundson said public awareness of the new law is needed.
Anundson said it’s important for people to call authorities if they witness stray animals or have safety concerns.
“There’s going to be questions and I don’t want people to think we’ll be going door to door,” Anundson said. “We don’t have the manpower to do that and the dog warden doesn’t have anywhere close to the manpower to do that.”
Anundson also said that transportation won’t be a problem because the animal can be transported in a police cruiser directly to the Venango County Humane Society in Seneca.
He also said that if it can’t be directly transported to the Humane Society, the animal could be housed at the kennel at the police station.
If a case arises in which an animal must be seized, it is housed at the Humane Society until the case is over, said Amber Martino, president of the Humane Society board of directors.
“Then we have to pick up the tab for caring for that animal, and some court cases can last for months,” Martino said.
Although some dog owners could see the new law as an inconvenience, Weldon said the health of the dogs must come first.
“In the end we have to keep in mind what this law will prevent is animals freezing to death or dying of heat stroke from being exposed to extreme temperatures,” Weldon said.
“The dogs that really suffer are the dogs that have lived their life outside tied to a chain.”
