Last month, I attended a rally in Chester County held by Senator Dinniman (pictured with his dog, Henry) to talk about Daniel’s Law- Senate Bill 1329- that would ban the use of gas chambers in the state of PA. There are approximately three of these ghastly killing machines still in use in western PA. Their exact locations are not known to the public. But they exist. Daniel was placed in one to be euthanized.
Daniel not only survived but is thriving. Daniel has become the poster boy for these illogical and inhumane means of killing pets in shelters. Daniel was in attendance at the rally. He was on Anderson Cooper’s morning talk show last Friday with his new owner. He’s doing exceptionally well!
You can Click here for information on how you can help to get Daniel’s Law passed.
Senator Dinniman is not only working on this piece of important and overdue legislation but he is working on two other pieces of animal legislation.
Dinniman has realized the link between violence against animals and violence against people. Many serial killers begin their “careers” of killing by maiming and killling innocent animals. Many people who commit acts against animals have a higher propensity to do the same to people.
Senator Dinniman’s Senate Bill 968, the Pet Protection from Domestic Abuse Act, calls for “strengthening PA’s Animal Cruelty Law to increase the penalty when animal abuse happens in a domestic-violence situation.” If a person who is under a protection from abuse order commits animal cruelty against the pet of his/her spouse or partner, they would be charged with a third-degree felony instead of a first-degree misdemeanor, as it currently stands.
Senate Bill 968 is coming before the Senate Judiciary Committe tomorrow. Let’s hope it is approved! Below is Senate Bill 968 in its entirety.
Wait, there’s more. Dinniman is truly working hard to help the animals in PA. Another piece of legislation he is sponsoring “would prohibit the tethering of animals for an extended periods of time and in extreme conditions.” This bill, Senate Bill 972 , “would require all tethers to provide unfettered access to shelter, food, water and shade and would also prohibit the use of choke collars and other chain collars that could cause injuries.”
I applaud Senator Dinniman’s time and efforts he has put forth to help make animals’ lives better in PA. He voted for the PA Dog Law in 2008. Sadly, that law has been slowly eroding. But Dinniman appears to be a true friend of animals and animal advocates. I would like to see more legislators who are willing to fight for the rights of animals. Senator Dinniman realizes the importance of these pieces of legislation and let’s hope all get passed.
Kudos to you, Senator Dinniman. Keep up the good work. I would like to see other legislators follow your lead!
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE BILL
No.
968
Session of
2011
INTRODUCED BY DINNIMAN, APRIL 14, 2011
REFERRED TO JUDICIARY, APRIL 14, 2011
AN ACT
Amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in riot, disorderly conduct and related offenses, further providing for the offense of cruelty to animals.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Section 5511(a) of Title 18 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes is amended by adding a paragraph to read:
§ 5511. Cruelty to animals.
(a) Killing, maiming or poisoning domestic animals or zoo animals, etc.–
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(1.1) (i) A person commits a misdemeanor of the first degree if he willfully and maliciously kills, maims, disfigures, tortures or administers poison to or exposes any poisonous substance with intent to administer such poison or poisonous substance to any dog or cat, guide dog for an individual who is blind, hearing dog for an individual who is deaf or audibly impaired or service dog for an individual who is physically limited, that is in the care, control or supervision of a person or persons who directly benefit from a protection from abuse order issued under 23 Pa.C.S. Ch. 61 (relating to protection from abuse) and where the person committing the harm against the dog, cat, guide dog, hearing dog or service dog is subject to the protection from abuse order.
(ii) Any person convicted of violating this paragraph shall be sentenced to pay a fine of not less than $2,000 and not more than $15,000 or to imprisonment for not more than two years, or both.
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Section 2. This act shall take effect in 60 days.