PA Governor Signs Costs of Care of Seized Animals Act and Medical Exemption from Rabies Vaccination

On July 9, 2013, Pennsylvania Governor Tom Corbett signed two pieces of legislation into law, SB 155 as Act No. 65 and HB 82 as Act No. 50. 

Act No. 65, previously SB 155, amends the Rabies Prevention and Control in Domestic Animals and Wildlife Act.  Most notably, this law provides for a medical exemption from rabies vaccination.  Further, this law clarifies when rabies vaccinations are due to be given to cats and dogs, requiring that all dogs and cats to be vaccinated against rabies within four weeks after reaching three months of age.  For more information, please see our previous blog post concerning this legislation.

Act No. 50, previously HB 82, the Costs of Care of Seized Animals Act, would allow municipalities and humane shelters to petition the court to recover all reasonable costs of care for animals seized from owners charged with violation of Pennsylvania’s anti-cruelty statute.  The reasonable costs of care recoverable under the statute include food, water, shelter and documented veterinary expenses.   For more information, please see our previous blog post concerning this legislation.

Written By Gaby Gilbeau – Research Assistant

The Agricultural Law Resource and Reference Center

July 11, 2013

PA House Passes Bill which Provides Medical Exemption from Rabies Vaccination

On July 1, 2013, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives passed Senate Bill 155, which amends the Rabies Prevention and Control in Domestic Animals and Wildlife Act.  This bill contains amendments which provide additional definitions, grants enforcement powers and duties to the Department of Agriculture and clarifies when rabies vaccinations are due to be given to domestic animals. 

Most notably, the amendments provide for a veterinary exemption from rabies vaccination, which can be renewed annually.  A licensed veterinarian would be required to certify that an animal has been examined and that it would be medically inadvisable to vaccinate the animal against rabies due to an infirmary, physical condition or current therapy regimen. 

Further, the Senate Bill 155 clarifies when rabies vaccinations are due to be given to cats and dogs.  Currently, the law requires that dogs and cats be vaccinated at three months of age.  This left an ambiguity as to whether it was exactly at three months of age, or under four months of age.  The amendments included in SB 155 state that all dogs must be vaccinated against rabies within four weeks after reaching three months of age.

Senate Bill 155 will now return to the Senate for consideration of the House’s changes to SB 155.

For more information, please see the PA General Assembly’s website.

Written By Gaby Gilbeau – Research Assistant

The Agricultural Law Resource and Reference Center

July 2, 2013