Know The Basics
What is animal cruelty?
- A person intentionally, knowingly or recklessly illtreats, overloads, beats, abandons or abuses an animal
What is neglect of an animal?
- Failure to provide for the basic needs of each animal, including:
- Food and water
- Shelter that is clean and sanitary and protects from the weather, retains body heat and keeps the animal dry
- Necessary veterinary care
What is Aggravated Cruelty to an Animal?
- A person intentionally or knowingly:
- Tortures an animal
- Commits an act of neglect or cruelty causing serious bodily injury or death
What are the Laws for Tethering an Unattended Dog
- Tethering of Unattended Dog
- An unattended dog may be tethered for less than 9 hours in a 24-hour period if the following conditions are met:
- Tether is secure to a well-fitting collar with swivel to prevent the dog from being entangled
- Collar may not be a tow or log chain or choke/pinch/prong/chain collar
- Tether is at least 3 times the length of the dog measured from tip of nose to base of tail or 10 feet, whichever is longer
- Dog has access to water
- Dog has access to a shaded area
- Area must not have excessive waste
- The dog must not be tethered for longer than 30 minutes when the temperature is above 90 degrees Fahrenheit or below 32 degrees Fahrenheit
What is Considered Animal Mutilation?
- Ear cropping
- Debarking
- Tail docking
- Surgical birth
- Declawing of a dog
What defines Animal Fighting?
- Causing, allowing or permitting an animal to engage in fighting
- Receiving compensation for the admission of another person to a place kept or used for animal fighting
- Owning, possessing, keeping, training, promoting, purchasing, stealing or acquiring in any matter or knowingly selling an animal for animal fighting
- Wagering on the outcome of an animal fight
- Paying admission to or attending an animal fight
- Knowingly permitting a place under the person’s control or possession to be kept or used for animal fighting
Other Offenses that are considered Cruelty
- Possession of Animal Fighting Paraphernalia
- Transporting Animals in a Cruel Manner
- Taunting or Torturing Police Animals
What HSPOs Cannot Enforce
- Enforcement of the following issues falls under Animal Control or the Pennsylvania State Dog Warden
- Stray animals/animals running at large
- Rabies license
- Dog license
- Dog bites/dangerous dogs
- Local ordinances including pet limits
- Kennels and puppy mill inspection
- Theft of animal (this is a civil issue)
Suspect Animal Abuse?
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ALL INFORMATION YOU PROVIDE WILL REMAIN CONFIDENTIAL
Our Humane Police Officers respond to reports as quickly as possible, if your concern is urgent or life-threatening and requires an immediate response, please call 911 or your local police department.
If you suspect animal cruelty in Lehigh County please complete our Report Animal Cruelty form. Our Humane Police Officer cannot investigate incomplete or inaccurate reports. In order for an animal cruelty report to be investigated it must contain all of the following information: the exact address of the suspected cruelty, a detailed report of the suspected cruelty, a description of the animal and your name and phone number. All complainant information is confidential and is for Officer use only.