HARRISBURG — The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and The Humane Society of the United States commended lawmakers in the Pennsylvania House today for passage of bills that will overhaul the state dog law and crack down on puppy mills in the state.
House Bill 2525 passed 181-17 and a second related measure, House Bill 2532, passed by a vote of 198-0. The bills now move to the Senate for consideration.
"We want to thank all the legislators who worked so hard to see these measures pass," said Cori Menkin, senior director of legislative initiatives for the ASPCA®. "We are one huge step closer to requiring all kennel owners in the state to provide humane treatment to the dogs they use and sell."
On Monday House members who supported the measures defeated many harmful amendments that opponents tried to add to the legislation. On Tuesday Gov. Ed Rendell, along with his dog Maggie, who was rescued from a puppy mill, addressed nearly 300 people and their dogs at the Capitol calling for passage of the legislation. His speech was part of a rally that included national opponents of puppy mills who said people around the country are watching to see what happens in Pennsylvania. The state is considered the puppy mill capital of the East.
"We are extremely pleased with today's vote but now know our efforts must focus on the Senate," said Sarah Speed, Pennsylvania state director for The HSUS. "We need supporters to let their senators know that this is an important bill and should be passed quickly."
-30-
Founded in 1866, the ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) was the first humane organization established in the Americas, and today has more than one million supporters throughout North America. A 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation, the ASPCA's mission is to provide effective means for the prevention of cruelty to animals throughout the United States. The ASPCA provides local and national leadership in animal-assistance therapy, animal behavior, animal poison control, anti-cruelty, humane education, legislative services, and shelter outreach. The New York City headquarters houses a full-service, accredited animal hospital, adoption center, and mobile clinic outreach program. The Humane Law Enforcement department enforces New York's animal cruelty laws and is featured on the reality television series "Animal Precinct" on Animal Planet. For more information, please visit aspca.org.
The Humane Society of the United States is the nation's largest animal protection organization — backed by 10.5 million Americans, or one of every 30. For more than a half-century, The HSUS has been fighting for the protection of all animals through advocacy, education, and hands-on programs. Celebrating animals and confronting cruelty — On the web at humanesociety.org.
