Accused Animal Abusers to Pay Care Costs of Seized Animals

Pennsylvania Governor Tom Corbett has signed into law a bill that will require alleged animal abusers, under certain circumstances, to pay reasonable costs for the care of their seized animals.

Reasonable costs of care are $15 per day per animal, in addition to necessary medical care, as determined by a licensed veterinarian.

The law will help reduce the enormous burden placed on non-profit animal shelters across the state that provide food and veterinary care for abused animals while cruelty cases are pending, often for a lengthy period.

The legislation will allow the appropriate authorities to bring an action in the Court of Common Pleas. The statute should provide an incentive for reluctant defendants to get into court promptly, thereby alleviating expenses, eventually charged to the defendant, incurred by animal shelters in caring for abused animals.

For the full text of the bill, click Here.