Attorneys gather to learn about Libre’s Law
As the one-year anniversary of the passage of Libre’s Law approaches, 15 attorneys and two dogs gathered Downtown on Wednesday for a daylong Animal Law Conference to learn about the legislation that stiffens penalties for people who abuse animals.
Thirteen of those attorneys generally don’t practice the kind of law that involves defending clients accused of abusing, starving or neglecting animals. But they can get involved in other ways, suggested Kristen Tullo, Pennsylvania state director of Humane Society of the United States.
“Attorneys, if you see something, say something to police. Your voice does count,” Ms. Tullo said Wednesday.
Two of the attorneys at the Animal Law Conference regularly prosecute animal abuse cases. Allegheny County District Attorney Stephen A. Zappala Jr. and Deputy District Attorney Rachel Fleming also educate the public, district justices and their coworkers about changes in the law.
A Pomeranian named Ruby, 9, and a hound/shepherd mix, Phelix, 12, sat quietly with Jackie Hahn-Efrati, a volunteer with the Paws Across Pittsburgh rescue (www.pawsacrosspittsburgh. She’s been bringing rescued dogs to the conference for 12 years. Ruby and Phelix are both looking for “forever homes” she told attorneys.
Act 10, more commonly known as Libre’s Law, became the law of the commonwealth on Aug. 26, 2017. Provisions include stiffer penalties, more legal protection for horses and other animals, and prohibits tethering dogs outside for more than 30 minutes when temperatures go above 90 degrees or below 30 degrees. It’s too early to see the effects of Libre’s Law on local cases, Mr. Zappala said.
“It takes time for cases to weave their way through the court system,” said Nicole Wilson, director of law enforcement for the Pennsylvania SPCA and a member of the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture Dog Law Advisory Board.
Libre, a Boston terrier, is the namesake of Act 10. As a puppy he was left to die in a Lancaster barn by an Amish farmer who “got a slap on the wrist” from the courts, said Janine Guido, who took him into her Speranza Animal Rescue in 2016.
Libre was starved and was septic because of skin infections. Veterinary care to save him totaled $27,000. Libre is happy, healthy and friendly, and he makes many public appearances.
This is the 15th year for the Animal Law Conference. This year’s sponsors are HSUS and American Anti-Vivisection Society.
Phil Arko, coordinator of the National LINK Coalition, spoke about the link between domestic violence and the abuse of animals.
Also on the agenda were Sarah D. Speed, an attorney and executive director of the Pennsylvania House Judiciary Committee; Mike Spada of the Pennsylvania State Police; Barbara Paul of the Philadelphia District Attorney’s office; and Andrea Joy Albrecht, an attorney with Best Friends Animal Society.