pa-dog-law

‘Overburdened and underfunded’: Shapiro signs bill to save Bureau of Dog Law Enforcement

BY: - October 23, 2023

Gov. Josh Shapiro signed the Dog Law Modernization Act into law on Monday, gradually increasing the cost of a dog license from $5 to $7 in its first year. The fee will increase another $2 in the second year to a total of $9, with a final increase of $1 in 2027 regardless of the animal’s spay or neuter status. 

Dog law modernization bill passes full Senate | Wednesday Morning Coffee

BY: - June 21, 2023

The bill, SB 746, is sponsored by state Sen. Elder Vogel, R-Beaver, and would raise the cost of a dog license for the first time in more than two decades, among a host of other reform measures.

Dog Law Modernization bill unanimously passes Senate Agriculture Committee

BY: - June 6, 2023

After years of advocating for legislative reform for Pennsylvania’s dog licensing system, the state Department of Agriculture said it is ready to see dog law modernization efforts finally pass the Legislature. 

State Sen. Carolyn T. Comitta, D-Chester, attends a Senate Education Committee Hearing held at the Pennsylvania Capitol on May 24, 2022 in Harrisburg, Pa. (Photo by Amanda Berg, for the Capital-Star).

State lawmakers propose legislative reforms for Pa. dog law

BY: - April 6, 2023

The reforms, which are part of a three-pronged, companion proposal by state Sen. Carolyn Comitta, D-Chester, and Rep. Ryan Bizzarro, D-Erie, mirror a similar legislative package enacted in Virginia last year. 

Proposal to ‘modernize’ Pa. dog law, increase fees, gains support from Ag officials, advocates

BY: - June 3, 2022

State Sen. Elder Vogel, R-Beaver, who chairs the Senate Agriculture & Rural Affairs Committee, said Thursday that his bill will “modernize” Pennsylvania’s dog law and “ensure it is being executed as it was intended.”

‘The best way to protect your dog is with a license’: Ag Sect’y Redding says

BY: - February 19, 2022

When you think February, you think "dog licenses," right?

Despite proposed $3M transfer in Wolf’s budget, Dog Law Bureau would remain in deficit, Ag. Dept. says

BY: - February 10, 2022

The dog license fee in Pennsylvania, which has not increased in more than two decades, has left the bureau unable to perform its duties, funding only basic operations. 

In Cumberland Co., state and local officials ask Pennsylvanians to license dogs in 2022

BY: - December 14, 2021

CARLISLE, , Pa. — Officials from the state Department of Agriculture and Cumberland County spoke from the Cumberland County Courthouse Tuesday to remind Pennsylvanians to get their 2022 dog license before year’s end.  “It’s simple, if you love your dog, license your dog,” Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding said. “The process is quick and easy to […]

Dog law Senate bill ‘unlikely’ to move forward, aide to top Pa. senator says

BY: - October 2, 2021

Despite a funding deficit more than two decades in the making, a bill to increase dog license fees and boost funding for Pennsylvania’s Bureau of Dog Law Enforcement, likely won’t see a vote this session.  Legislation (SB 232) sponsored by state Sen. Judy Schwank, D-Berks, in February, is unlikely to see a vote in the […]

Left out of state budget, Bureau of Dog Law Enforcement will ‘maintain minimum services’ with Ag funds

BY: - June 29, 2021

The bureau had been the recipient of a $1.2 million supplemental transfer a year prior. 

With Bureau of Dog Law Enforcement on the brink, supporters say it’s time for a ‘yes vote’ on licensing fee increases

BY: - June 14, 2021

Lending his likeness to the cause Monday, was Levi Fetterman, Pennsylvania’s second dog, who was joined by his human, Second Lady Gisele Fetterman. 

State lawmaker looks for ‘supplement’ to dwindling dog warden presence

BY: - May 1, 2021

Rep. Scott Conklin, D-Centre, believes his bill is of growing importance as the state’s Bureau of Dog Law Enforcement faces down a yet-to-be-fixed funding deficit.