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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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State
Rep. Thomas Caltagirone |
  
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Caltagirone unveils bill to protect Pa.'s dogs from painful surgeries
Hundreds pack Capitol steps in support of dog law improvements
HARRISBURG, May 14 – At a rally on the state Capitol steps today, state Rep. Thomas Caltagirone, D-Berks, joined a bipartisan group of House members and senators, and a throng of supporters and their dogs, to unveil his legislation to strengthen the state's animal cruelty law and back several other bills aimed at protecting Pennsylvania's dogs.
Caltagirone's bill (H.B. 2532) would prohibit dog owners from performing tail docking on dogs more than three days old, debarking (cutting or destroying a dog’s vocal cords) and cesarean sections and instead require the procedures be performed by a licensed veterinarian. Currently, owners and breeders, with no formal training, are within the scope of the law to conduct the procedures.
The legislation would also permit dog wardens to file cruelty charges against kennels when there is no humane society police officer to do so.
"Without getting into graphic detail about how horribly these surgeries can go awry, the fact is that they often are performed outside of the recommended time frame of three days without anesthesia or proper sanitation," said Caltagirone, chairman of the House Judiciary Committee.
"As a result, thousands of dogs have died, suffered from serious pain, infection, or been euthanized due to behavioral changes. I agree that pet owners and breeders know what is best for their dogs. Knowing what's best should include using common sense and leaving serious surgeries to the experts," he said.
The lawmaker said the legislation is part of a package of bills under Gov. Ed Rendell’s initiative to make sweeping changes to the state's dog and animal cruelty laws.
Other components include legislation (H.B. 2525) sponsored by state Rep. James E. Casorio, Jr., D-Westmoreland, that would set minimum standards for the safety, health and care of dogs raised by and housed at commercial kennels in Pennsylvania. The standards would include ensuring that dogs are protected from injury and inclement weather; are housed in clean, adequately sized and heated enclosures; and that kennels are equipped with smoke alarms and fire extinguishers.
Caltagirone said another bill (H.B. 499) would hold owners responsible for their actions by making them foot the bill for their seized animals’ care while they are at the shelter. An irresponsible owner who refuses to pay would be forced to abandon the animal. The bill would also impose and increase fines under the dog law for convicted violators.
"Great reforms are needed for these outdated laws, which have very little oversight and not nearly enough substance to properly ensure the safety of our dogs," Caltagirone said. "We have gained national attention due to our inattentiveness in their raising, breeding and sale. These innocent animals cannot speak for themselves and it's time we do the talking for them and keep their best interests at heart."
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