The Times Herald (Norristown, PA)
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ASPCA designated April as Animal Cruelty Prevention Month Lawmakers work to make PA a safe haven for animals
NORRISTOWN » There’s still a long way to go in the fight against animal cruelty, but animals and their twolegged supporters have a lot to celebrate in April during Animal Cruelty Prevention Month.
One of the biggest victories came last August, when Libre’s Law finally made animal abuse a felony.
Libre’s Law, or House Bill 1238, signed by Governor Wolf on June 29, 2017 was named after the Boston terrier who sparked a state-wide fight for tougher penalties for animal abusers.
Kristen Tullo, Pennsylvania State Director of the Human Society of the United States, who had sponsored the legislation, had noted the historical significance of Libre’s Law during a visit to the Montgomery County SPCA in Conshohocken in February where she joined U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey, R-Pa. in touting the success of the Prevent Animal Cruelty and Torture Act (PACT).
“For the first time ever, animals are protected, because of this bug-eyed miracle who captured the
hearts of Pennsylvanians who called on the General Assembly to improve our animal cruelty and neglect laws,” said Tullo, who explained that Libre was found on a farm in Lancaster County, severely neglected and suffering from dehydration and starvation.
“A good Samaritan asked if he could take him. He contacted a humane officer and the story continued from there. Pennsylvanians rallied behind this puppy as ambassador for the other Libres out there. And the other exciting part of this is that we now have the opportunity to have a similar law on a federal level with PACT.”
PACT was co-created by Toomey and U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn. which seeks to outlaw a heinous form of animal abuse known as “crushing,” where deranged individuals maim and torture animals.
“Sick individuals intentionally maim and torture animals. It’s hard to believe that this even happens but the truth is that it does. Now those found guilty would face felony charges and seven years in prison,” Toomey said, explaining that the impetus for PACT began with a previous law that banned the sale of videos depicting the despicable act.
“In 2010 Congress banned the sale of videos with this sick activity, but unfortunately the 2010 law did not prohibit the actual act of cruelty, and the result was that federal law enforcement officials were not able to prosecute anyone for committing the act. But our bill fixes that. Individuals found guilty of torturing animals on federal property will face felony charges, fines and up to seven years in prison. The good news about this act,” Toomey added, is that it was unanimously approved by the Senate back in December. The House bill has 272 house sponsors and there is wide support. What we need to do is put pressure on the House leadership to actually move the legislation. If it passes it will get to the President’s desk and I’m confident that the President will sign it.”
Humane Society CEO Wayne Pacelle noted: “Malicious cruelty is shameful abhorrent conduct and perpetrators should never get a free pass from the federal government. We already have federal laws against dogfighting and cockfighting and a wide range of other animal crimes with an interstate component. It’s time to close the gap in our federal laws on matters of extreme cruelty.”
Without alerts from concerned citizens who report cruelty they witness or suspect, law enforcement would never know about most cases of animal abuse. It all starts with the public, and it’s critical that we all keep our eyes and ears open in our neighborhoods and everywhere we go. Do you see an animal locked inside a car, whether the windows are cracked or not, in a shopping center parking lot? If you can’t locate the owner, don’t be afraid to call police immediately.
In another recent victory, in Chester County, State Senator Andy Dinniman recently announced the introduction of bipartisan legislation to prohibit the sale of commercially raised dogs, cats, and rabbits in pet stores across the state.
According to Dinniman’s website, senatordinniman.com, the legislation is designed to move the pet market toward more humane sources by prohibiting Pennsylvania pet stores from selling puppies, kittens, and rabbits coming from inhumane mills that treat mother dogs, cats, and rabbits as nothing more than breeding machines and their offspring as mere products. Stores will be allowed to source from shelters and rescues and offer homeless animals for adoption, enabling them to be part of the pet overpopulation solution.
“For far too long, Pennsylvania has held the dubious distinction of puppy mill capital of the nation. We need not only stronger animal cruelty laws and tighter enforcement of our existing humane and kennel standards, but also to put an end to cruel and inhumane puppy mills once and for all,” Dinniman said. “This legislation will eliminate the market for puppy mills to sell their animals in Commonwealth. It’s just the right thing to do. After all, the way we treat our pets is indicative of the way we treat each other.”
Dinniman was joined in announcing the animal welfare and consumer protection measure by state Senator Guy Reschenthaler and state Representative Jason Ortitay. The bipartisan group of lawmakers also met with animal advocates and rescue dogs from the Humane Society of Pennsylvania, Finding Shelter Animal Rescue, Main Line Animal Rescue, and A Tail to Tell Puppy Rescue.
The ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) started the Animal Cruelty Prevention Month in 2006 and it has now become a national celebration of both the bonds humans form with animals and also of the victories accomplished on behalf of animals.
Saturday, April 8, marks the ASPCA’s annual National Dog Fighting Awareness Day, a day designated to further advance the conversation about dog fighting, and to encourage animal-lovers across the country to take action against this unbelievably brutal form of cruelty. This year, you can add your voice to the cause by joining Sir Patrick Stewart in the Get Tough campaign, while sign a pledge and sharing your selfie.
For more information, visit www.aspca.org
According to the ASPCA, acts of violence or neglect perpetrated against animals are clear cases of animal cruelty. Examples include overt animal abuse, when an individual purposely inflicts physical harm or injury on an animal. dog and cock fighting and companion animal neglect where the animal is denied basic necessities of care such as fresh water and food or shelter.
Many of those who witness or hear about cruelty are unaware that legal action can be taken to stop it. If the problem is not corrected, the animal will be removed from the offending person by law enforcement authorities.
Even if you’re not entirely sure you’re witnessing neglect or outright cruelty, the Humane Society of the United States advises to “take action if something feels off. In many cases, you may be the only chance an animal has at escaping cruelty or neglect.”
To report suspected animal abuse, call Montgomery County SPCA at 610825-0111 or Pennsylvania SPCA at 800-601-SPCA.
Fortunately, for many folks like Ann Kravitz, an instructional assistant at Knapp Elementary School in the North Penn School District, every month is Animal Cruelty Prevention Month.
Compassion for animals prompted her to start the Compassion, Awareness, Respect, Education Club (CARE), an animal welfare club for fourth- through sixth-grade students, at the
suggestion of Knapp’s former principal, Joe Mazza.
“He said, ‘Ann, your passion for animals and children is so wonderful, why don’t you start a club at the school?’ ” recalled the Montgomeryville resident, who happily noted that Mazza was inspired to pay a visit to ACCT (Animal Control & Care Team of Philadelphia to adopt a pit bull.
Kravitz and her husband have adopted two rescue dogs, Taffy and Brandie.
The Club meets twice a month and has hosted adoption events through rescue organizations and will soon be welcoming animals from Aark Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Center in Chalfont.
“Children need to know how to treat animals because they’re the future pet owners,” Kravitz said. “Whether it’s dogs, cats, guinea pigs … I do everything, even bringing in wildlife like birds and rabbits to help teach the kids that all animals deserve compassion.”