Pennsylvania Archives - i Still Love Dogs

HOORAY: Pennsylvania’s Animal Cruelty Laws Just Got a Whole Lot Tougher

Almost a year after an emaciated, mange-ridden Boston Terrier puppy was rescued after he was abandoned on a Pennsylvania breeding farm, animal cruelty laws in the state are getting a whole lot tougher.

Today Gov. Tom Wolf signed into law HB 1238, which is considered to be the most significant anti-animal cruelty legislation for Pennsylvania in the last 30 years. It includes Libre’s Law, which was inspired by the abandoned puppy, who was later named Libre because he was rescued on the Fourth of July. (Libre put his pawprint on the legislation during this afternoon’s signing ceremony!)

Until now, Pennsylvania had some of the weakest animal cruelty laws in the country. Benjamin S. Stoltzfus, the owner of the breeding farm, initially faced no animal cruelty charges even though he’d intentionally left Libre to die a horrible death all alone. He was eventually charged with a summary count of animal cruelty and only had to pay a $905 fine — basically just a slap on the hand.

Those days have fortunately come to a well-deserved end. The new laws, which go into effect in 60 days, will increase the penalties for those who abuse or neglect animals in the state. It creates a new classification for offenders who cause the death or serious bodily injury of an animal. Those offenders could face third-degree felony charges.

The comprehensive package also includes the following new legislation:

Cordelia’s Law, named after a starved horse, would put penalties for animal cruelty crimes against horses on par with those for crimes against dogs and cats. It also provides protections for guide dogs.
A law prohibiting pets from being tethered outside all the time or in foul weather.
A law requiring those convicted of animal abuse to surrender their pets.
Civil immunity provided for veterinarians, veterinary technicians and humane society police officers to prevent frivolous lawsuits against them when they report animal cruelty in good faith.

It’s been a year in the making, but just as little Libre refused to give up, supporters of the bill named in his honor didn’t, either. Congratulations and my deepest gratitude to everyone who worked so hard to make Pennsylvania a safer place for animals.

To find out more about Libre and the wonderful people who helped get this law passed, please check out these stories:

Photo: governor.pa.gov

Two Dachshunds Found Alive Day After Pennsylvania House Fire

When their house in East Fallowfield Township, Pa., went up in flames late Saturday afternoon, a family thought they had not only lost their home, but two precious four-legged family members as well.

According to WPVI, investigators believe the two-alarm fire was started by someone smoking. Two women in the house were able to escape without injury, but their two Dachshunds were left behind. It took firefighters about half an hour to put out the flames.

As the family mourned their losses Sunday morning, someone spotted the Dachshunds sitting in what remained of a second-floor bedroom.

Modena Fire Company Chief Frank Dowlin happened to be finishing a report on the fire when he got a call from the East Fallowfield Police Department.

“They’re alive,” Dowlin was told, according to a news release he wrote today.

Firefighters and the relieved family rushed to the house. Once they got there, “it was truly a great sight,” Dowlin wrote.

“Standing at the rear of the house, looking through the large hole, there they were — tails a-wagging, looking down at their owners.”

Firefighter Charlie Johnson climbed a ladder and, attached to a rope, entered the unstable structure, walking across the bedroom to the dogs. One at a time, he scooped up the dogs brought them to firefighter Justin Carlo, who carried each of them down the ladder.

“The dogs were amazingly both doing well and, after a reunion with their owners, were cleaned up a little, and given water and food by neighbors, and then spent some time running around the yard,” Dowlin wrote.

“The event was truly a miracle to witness. Our crews were glad to bring a little happiness to the family.”

Photos via Twitter; Twitter

Rescued Pit Bull Saves Pennsylvania Family from House Fire

A Pit Bull named Lou, who had been saved from an abusive owner, apparently decided to “paw” it forward to the family who rescued him.

When a fire broke out early Saturday morning in Chris Julian and Kelly Yarbrough’s Carbondale, Penn., house, Lou woke them by barking frantically.

“There`s a fire behind the door. I grabbed the door. It was red hot,” Julian told WNEP. “All I screamed was, ‘Call 911! There`s a fire,’ and by the time I got back to the room, there was no time to think.”

“The fire was coming through the door and the dog saved our lives,” Yarbrough said. “If it wasn’t for him, we’d all be dead right now.”

Although they lost almost everything they owned, the couple, their two younger children and Lou were able to escape without any injuries.

The couple’s two older children weren’t home at the time. Yarbrough told WNEP it was very fortunate that the family had watched a movie together in the master bedroom Friday night, and the two younger children had fallen asleep on the floor. Had they been in their own bedrooms, “I probably wouldn’t have been able to get them out,” she said.

“I’m grateful for God and the way that it did happen,” Yarbrough said. “I’m grateful God gave me Lou, our dog, and I’m grateful for the Red Cross to help us as much as they could.”

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Photo: WNEP