To love and protect

State Rep. Ryan Bizzarro (D-Erie) encourages people to support H.B. 13. Precious Paws Animal Rescue in Franklin, the Venango County Humane Society in Seneca and Tri-County Animal Shelter in Shippenville have several wonderful animals available for adoption. Skye’s Spirit Wildlife Rehabilitation Center in Harrisville and Tamarack Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Center in Saegertown continue their mission to care for injured wildlife.

Thwarting animal abuse by supporting H.B. 13

By State Rep. Ryan Bizzarro (D-Erie)

In Pennsylvania, the penalty for stealing 50 cents from someone’s car is tougher than for stabbing a dog.

Stealing the change out of a car is a third-degree misdemeanor and carries a jail sentence of up to a year and a $2,000 fine. Stabbing a dog is only a summary offense with a maximum penalty of a $750 fine and 90 days in jail and, even if convicted, the abuser can have the dog back.

What is wrong with this picture?

It’s appalling that the maximum punishment for abusing animals is the same as stealing those coins or a traffic ticket.

Or for beating a horse to death in broad daylight and capturing it on video.

Or for putting a firecracker under a turtle’s shell.

Or for leaving an abandoned dog to die of mange and skin infections while locked in a cage.

That is why I have reintroduced H.B. 13, which would set stricter penalties for animal abuse.

Last session, I championed this legislation (formerly H.B. 869) to change the landscape for animal protection in Pennsylvania. The legislation unanimously passed the state Senate and made it out of the House Rules Committee twice, but failed to secure a final vote before the legislative session ended.

Anyone convicted of animal cruelty should never be given the animal back, and my legislation ensures that after months of care and love in a shelter, an abused pet is not condemned to the same fate from which he was rescued.

House Bill 13 also would punish egregious acts of animal cruelty as a misdemeanor, taking the pain and suffering of our most vulnerable animals seriously. It also would improve protection for horses and set commonsense limitations on the continuous outdoor tethering of dogs.

A Chicago police department study revealed that offenders charged with crimes against animals usually commit other violent offenses toward people. The report revealed that of those arrested for crimes against animals, 65 percent has been arrested for assaulting another person.

Of the 36 convicted murders questioned in the study, 46 percent admitted committing acts of animal torture as adolescents and of seven school shootings that took place across the country between 1997 and 2001, all involved boys had previously committed acts of animal cruelty.

Pennsylvania, Idaho and Iowa are the only states to fail to provide meaningful penalties for first-time animal-abuse offenders and safeguards for animals.

Last year in Lancaster County, a Boston terrier puppy name Libre captured national medial headlines after being found near death, skin ravaged by mange, locked in a cage. No one faced charges for Libre’s neglect and, even if they had, the result would likely have been a mere $50 fine.

Enough.

Please contact your state representative and state senator and ask them to support my legislation, H.B. 13.

Do it for every pet that ever loved you.

Together, we can protect them.

State Rep Ryan Bizzarro is a third-term legislator in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives serving the 3rd Legislative District.

He’s ‘pawsome’

Precious Paws Animal Rescue in Franklin has Noir available for adoption.

Linda Jackson posted about Noir the cat on the group’s Facebook page.

“This is Noir he was rescued from a cat colony at Polk Center. He is about 5 months old. He has been neutered and is up-to-date on his shots. He is looking for his furever home,” she posted.

Adoption applications can be found on the group’s website pparfranklin.com under the “Adopt” tab.

Upcoming events

A Paint, Pour and Purr event will be held from 3 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 18, at Hatched, 1237 Liberty St., Franklin.

The rescue is also gearing up for its spring craft show which will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, March 25, at the Rocky Grove fire hall in Franklin.

Precious Paws can be reached by phone at (814) 671-9827 or by email at AdoptPreciousPaws@gmail.com. More information about the group and its low-cost spay/neuter program, SNYP, can be found online at pparfranklin.com or on the group’s Facebook page.

Is Roo for you?

The Venango County Humane Society in Seneca has feline Roo and canine Sammy available for adoption, as well as many others.

Roo, a domestic short hair, is a 6- to 7-month-old spayed female. This is a brown and black tabby with white on the face and chest. She has a rounded head with full cheeks and round yellow eyes.

“Roo is very shy at first but responds to affection. She’ll need time to get used to your touch and scent. Once she becomes used to you, she’ll be your very best friend,” the shelter said in a PetFinder listing.

Sammy, a hound mix, is a 5-year-old neutered male. He has a black and white coat with some black ticking on the legs and big brown eyes.

“Sammy will need daily exercise, preferably in the form of a long walk on leash. If allowed to run off leash, he should be in a safe enclosed area. He’s sociable and will be most comfortable in a quiet home with no small children. His coat is easily maintained, requiring only occasional brushing,” the shelter said in a PetFinder listing.

Adoption fee changes

The society also posted on Facebook some changes in its adoption fees.

Changes in adoption fees for dogs/cats will go into effect starting Tuesday, Feb. 14.

New prices will be as follows:
Dogs – $75
Puppies (6 months and under) – $100
Cats – $40
Kittens (6 months and under) – $50

The adoption fee for all pets includes spay/neuter, distemper vaccine, 1-year rabies vaccine, deworming, flea treatment and microchip.

The humane society is open from noon to 5 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays. It is located at 286 S. Main St., Seneca. More information on the Venango County Humane Society is available by calling (814) 677-4040.

Beagles and baked goods

Tri-County Animal Rescue Center in Shippenville has some beagles available for adoption. The center is also preparing for its Valentine’s Day fundraiser which will be held Saturday, Feb. 11, at Tractor Supply in Clarion.

Vern is a 7-year-old male beagle mix that was recently surrendered to the rescue.

Tri-County Animal Rescue Center is holding some Valentine’s Day Raffles.

The rescue will be selling baked goods and raffle tickets from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 11, at Tractor Supply in Clarion.

Tickets are available now from one of its volunteers or at the rescue center during its public hours.

Tri-County is located at 9562 Route 322, Shippenville. More information about Tri-County Animal Rescue Center is available on its Facebook page, by calling (814) 918-2032 or emailing contactus@Tricounty-arc.org.

Getting a leg (or foot) up

Skye’s Spirit Wildlife Rehabilitation Center in Harrisville is helping a golden eagle from Potter County, according to a post on it’s Facebook page.

“I’m beyond honored to help this amazing golden eagle from Potter County who was initially taken to our friends at Center Wildlife Care. They’re blessed with getting a remodel at their center and needed us to care for him while it’s happening,” the center posted.

“Sadly he was caught in a leg hold trap and we’re going to work on physical therapy to get that foot working. Our awesome vet Dr. Palumbo at Franklin animal clinic worked on him and we have a solid plan to help him,” the post continued.

Those who wish to donate toward the eagle’s care can visit the center’s website, www.skyes-spirit.com and click on any of the donation links or mail to SSWRC, 889 Farren Surrena Road, Harrisville, Pa. 16038.

Wildlife First Responder class date nearing

Tamarack Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Center in Saegertown will hold a Wildlife First Responder course from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 25. The class will be held at the center, 21601 Stull Road, Saegertown. The cost is $40 which includes lunch and handouts. Previous students returning for a review pay just $10 for lunch. Carol Holmgren and Gina Kron, licensed wildlife rehabilitators, and Cathy Davis, wildlife medic, will be the instructors.

Preregistration is required. To register, people may print a registration form from the center’s website at www.tamarackwildlife.org and mail it to the center with their check or call (814) 763-2574 to request a form.

Meanwhile, the center is caring for a barred owl that was hit by a vehicle.

“He was in rough shape upon admission, but has recovered beautifully and is now regaining stamina in an outdoor aviary in preparation for release,” the center posted on its Facebook page.

At the tail end

Regina Martin posted on the Hog Heaven Rescue Farm’s Facebook page that she is scheduling for a low-cost clinic.

“My next low cost cat clinic is Feb. 17 … so if you want on the schedule call 814-425-1850. If you leave a message I will call you back,” Martin posted.

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All About Animals is a weekly blog that appears on Venangoextra.com and Clarionextra.com. Interested persons or groups can submit information to bigdogs.thederrick@gmail.com. Readers may also submit photos or stories of their animals to bigdogs.thederrick@gmail.com. More information about the blog is available by contacting Anna Applegate at 814-677-8364.