Many feel that PA’s dog law is too lenient against those who own or harbor a dangerous dog. For example, unlike 36 other states having strict liability for dog bites, PA requires the injured party to prove negligence (in most cases) to get money for a dog attack. The reason? Pennsylvania started as a farming community, where dogs protected property and livestock, serving as an important part of PA’s economy.
Oh, how things have changed.
Modern Times and the Economy
Today, stories about dogs causing fatal injuries — to adults and children — are common. Dogs create a widespread safety hazard, largely without commercial justification. In fact, the farming industry in PA offers relatively few jobs compared to Amazon and Uber Eats. Only, delivery drivers live in fear of dogs on a daily basis. Attacks create a strain on our insurance and workers’ compensation system.
With changing times come changes to the law.
Changes to PA’s Dog Bite Law
On October 23, 2023, Pennsylvania’s Governor Josh Shapiro signed into law Senate Bill 746, which provides some key updates (“recent updates”) to PA’s dog law. Unfortunately, the recent updates fail to impose strict liability for all dog bites that cause injuries. That said, the changes received bipartisan support. The new law signals an important change in the direction of PA, more than anything else.
According to the Pennsylvania governor’s office, the new measures provide:
- The criminal penalties for violations of the dog law have increased to $500 to $1,000 for summary offenses and $1,000 to $5,000 for misdemeanor offenses plus court costs.
- The annual registration fee for harboring a dangerous dog will increase from $500 to $1,000 for any dog deemed dangerous.
- Owners of dogs already declared dangerous that attack again, will be required to find and pay a kennel to house the dog during court proceedings, to ensure the community remains safe until a final determination is made.
- Kennels selling or adopting dogs at retail to the public are responsible for disclosing breeder information, vaccination and medical documentation, and any known bite attacks on a human or a domestic animal.
These changes take effect 90 days from October 23, 2023, or January 23, 2024.
Our Take on the New Dog Bite Law, As Amended
Above all, it’s a good thing that PA will impose larger fines against those responsible for dog-related injuries. Thus, our Pittsburgh dog bite lawyers applaud the coming changes. That said, the amendments fail to include any reel teeth (pun intended!) to help the victims of a dog-related attack receive compensation. For example, the author of this article would like to see the person owning (or harboring) a canine:
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- carry a minimum of liability insurance for any dog bite or canine attack, ideally $100,000 or more; (you’re required to carry liability insurance to drive to drive a new Volvo — with pedestrian detection sensors — to the grocery store, but not to harbor a 120 pound pit bull tethered only to frayed string in your front yard?),
- face strict liability for a dog bite, and
- face strict civil and criminal penalties for failing to carry liability insurance. For example, PA’s motor vehicle laws will automatically suspend your driver’s license if you fail to pay a driving-related verdict against you. There’s nothing comparable in PA’s dog law, unfortunately.
All that said, the recent changes to PA’s dog bite law amount to a move in the right direction.
Let’s Get Started!
Each Pittsburgh attorney at our firm wants to hear from you. Call us for a legal update or any canine-related claim in Pennsylvania.
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