Pennsylvania Statutes Title 3 P.S. Agriculture § 459-502-A. Court proceedings, certificate of registration and disposition

(a), (a.1) Deleted by 2023, Oct. 23, P.L. 114, No. 18, § 4, effective in 90 days [Jan. 22, 2024].

(a.2) Summary offense of harboring a dangerous dog.--

(a.3) Effect of conviction.--A finding by a magisterial district judge that a person is guilty under subsection (a.2) of harboring a dangerous dog shall constitute a determination that the dog is a dangerous dog for purposes of this act.

(b) Report of conviction.--The magisterial district judge shall make a report of a conviction under subsection (a.2) to the Bureau of Dog Law Enforcement, identifying the convicted party, identifying and describing the dog or dogs and providing other information as the bureau might reasonably require.

(c) Certificate of registration required.--It is unlawful for an owner or keeper to have a dangerous dog without a certificate of registration issued under this article. This article shall not apply to dogs used by law enforcement officials for police work, certified guide dogs for the blind, hearing dogs for the deaf nor aid dogs for the handicapped.

(d) Disposition of dog during court proceedings.--An owner or keeper of any dog who has been charged with harboring a dangerous dog shall keep the dog or dogs confined in a proper enclosure or, when off the property of the owner or keeper for purposes of veterinary care, muzzled, on a leash and under physical restraint by a responsible person until the time a report is made under subsection (b). If an appeal of a decision under subsection (b) is filed, the dog or dogs shall remain so confined until the proceedings are completed. It shall be unlawful for an owner or keeper of a dog who has been charged with harboring a dangerous dog to dispense, move, sell, offer to sell, give away or transfer the dog in any manner except to have it humanely killed or move the dog to a licensed kennel if approved by the investigating officer. A violation of this subsection shall constitute a summary offense accompanied by a fine of not less than $500.