HARRISBURG (Newsradio 100.1 FM and AM 1020 KDKA) – Pennsylvania Secretary Russell Redding was joined by Second Lady Gisele Fetterman, Senator Judy Schwank, and Representative Eddie Day Pashinski at the Capitol on Monday to advocate for the people of PA to ask their legislators to save the Bureau of Dog Law Enforcement by supporting Senate Bill 232 and House Bill 526.
Both legislations would raise the dog license fee and adequately fund the bureau.
The current cost of an annual license is $6.50, a price that has not changed since 1996. That money is used for the Bureau, without having to use taxpayer money. Without the passage of the bills, taxpayer money, to the tune of more than $1 million annually, we begin to be allocated.
"A reasonable dog license fee increase is the most logical solution to solving the issues facing the Bureau of Dog Law Enforcement by restoring funding without needing to use taxpayer dollars," Pashinski said. "House Bill 526 and Senate Bill 232 would do just that, saving taxpayers millions of dollars, restoring the resources necessary for our dog wardens to safeguard dogs in commercial breeding kennels, protect the public from dangerous dogs, help reunite stray dogs with their families, and much more. You can do all of this by simply raising that fee by about a penny a day."
"We're here today to ask anyone in Pennsylvania who loves dogs and wants neighborhoods across the commonwealth to remain safe to contact your legislator and ask them to save the Bureau of Dog Law Enforcement," Redding said. "We've been warning this day would come – when the bureau runs out of money and services are at risk – for years. Dog licenses cost less than the cost of a chew toy. Our neighboring states charge up to $20 and the national average for an annual license is $10.
The Bureau works to crack down on illegal puppy mills and kennels, ensure the health and welfare of dogs living in breeding kennels, and inspect licenses kennels to ensure proper standards, monitor and track dangerous dogs, investigate dog bites, and provide justice to victims.
