Strict PA Animal Abuse Law Proposed

PENNSYLVANIA — A state representative is preparing to introduce legislation calling for people convicted of animal abuse crimes to register their information much like sex offenders are required to do.

Kathleen Tomlinson, a Bucks County Republican, wants to establish a publicly accessible central animal abuse registry that would be maintained by the Pennsylvania State Police. Convicted animal abusers would have register their personal information and the offense for which they were convicted for 15 years.

"Our dogs are not just pets," Tomlinson said in a memo to colleagues.

"They are an integral part of our family dynamic and society overall. They love us unconditionally no matter what the circumstances are, good or bad, our dogs are always there for us."

Tomlinson said her impending legislation, called "Phoebe's Law," was inspired after she was contacted by the dog's owner after the canine had died while staying at a kennel. The dog's owner told Tomlinson that Phoebe was not the only dog who had perished at the kennel.

"The commonwealth has a duty to protect our animals from abuse and enable the community to have information to prevent abusers from continuing to purchase, board or adopt animals," she stated.