What Are PA’s Laws on Dog Bites?
The Pennsylvania Dog Law Enforcement Office requires that dogs remain under owner control at all times. From their official website:
“All 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.”
A dog is determined to be dangerous if they fit the following criteria…
- Inflicted severe injury on a human being without provocation on public or private property.
- Killed or inflicted severe injury on a domestic animal, dog, or cat without provocation while off the owner’s property.
- Attacked a human being without provocation.
- Been used in the commission of a crime.
… AND the animal fits one or both of the following:
- A history of attacking human beings or domestic animals, dogs or cats without provocation.
- A propensity to attack human beings or domestic animals, dogs or cats without provocation.
If a dog is deemed “dangerous” by the PA state dog warden, the dog could be confiscated, and the owner could be found guilty of a first-degree misdemeanor.