What are Pennsylvania's Dog Laws?

• Pennsylvania dogs must be under control and must not be allowed to run at large. Dogs are personal property, and owners are responsible for damages caused by their dog.
• Pennsylvania dogs three months of age or older must be licensed. Licenses are issued by the County Treasurer.
• It is illegal to abandon or attempt to abandon any dog.
• It is illegal to abuse or mistreat any animal. Violations should be reported to a local Pennsylvania humane organization or the police.
• No Pennsylvania dog under seven weeks of age may be sold, traded, bartered or transferred.
• You may not place harmful substances anywhere dogs may easily eat it, whether it is your own property or elsewhere.
• You must have a Pennsylvania kennel license if you operate a facility that keeps, harbors, boards, shelters, sells, gives away or transfers a total of 26 or more dogs in any one calendar year.
• Owners of dogs and cats 3 months of age or older are required to have a current rabies vaccination. It is illegal to interfere with an officer or employee of the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture engaged in enforcement of dog laws.

The Pennsylvania Bureau of Dog Law is charged with the following responsibilities:

• Enforcing kennel inspections and licensing
• Investigating dog bites
• Enforcing licensing and control of dogs
• Detaining any dogs running at large
• Establishing and enforcing the quarantine of dogs in certain areas when required
• Funding counties and humane organizations to establish dog control facilities
• Providing educational services concerning dog ownership in Pennsylvania
• Enforcing the Pennsylvania Rabies Laws

If your or a loved one has been the victim of a Pennsylvania dog bite, please fill out the form on your left for a free case review by a Pennsylvania dog bite lawyer.