State Rep. James E. Casorio, Jr. D-Westmoreland www.pahouse.com/Casorio

Casorio to introduce tethering legislation

 

HARRISBURG, March 5 – State Rep. James E. Casorio Jr. said he will soon introduce legislation restricting the tethering of dogs in Pennsylvania.

Casorio, who was the author of the state's new commercial kennel law, said his tethering bill would protect dogs 24 hours a day as opposed to just certain times of day, would restrict tethering to an appropriate number of hours and would propose further limits on tethering during temperature and other weather extremes.

The Westmoreland County legislator said he is working with animal welfare and other groups to draft a reasonable bill that balances the protection and humane treatment of dogs with respect for responsible pet owners.

"Continuous tethering of dogs is inhumane and dangerous to both the animal and humans," Casorio said. "Dogs that are kept chained out of doors at all hours of the day and night – and in all kinds of weather – get sick and suffer injuries, and make easy targets for other animals and even thieves."

"In addition, dogs whose movement and social interaction are restricted over long periods of time and in uncomfortable conditions often become aggressive. Tethering for long periods of time is never a responsible way to treat an animal."

Casorio said his bill, in addition to placing appropriate time and other restrictions on tethering, would introduce a tiered system of penalties for owners who improperly tether their dogs, ranging from written warnings for a first offense to possible fines and jail time, as well as forfeiture of their dog, for repeated convictions.

Casorio said he has received hundreds of messages from his own constituents and residents from across the state arguing for effective tethering restrictions to be added to Pennsylvania's animal cruelty laws.  

"This is an area where Pennsylvania's animal cruelty laws remain inadequate," Casorio said. "In just the past two years, we have successfully added important new protections for dogs in commercial kennels and restrictions on untrained people performing surgeries and other unnecessary and cruel procedures on animals. Putting reasonable tethering restrictions in state law is the next step we need to take."

Casorio said he expects to introduce the legislation with a number of co-sponsors later this month. 

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CONTACT: Michael J. Herzing House Democratic Communications Office Phone: 717-787-7895 Email: mherzing@pahouse.net