How prevalent is animal abuse in Pa.?

A two-year look at statewide animal abuse data approaching the anniversary of Libre's Law found that, over the past few years, 52 percent of animal abuse offenses filed in Pennsylvania were for neglect of an animal, with 41 percent of offenses filed for cruelty to an animal.

The anticruelty law (Act 10) that strengthened the protection of animals, commonly known as Libre's Law, went into effect in late August of 2017.

Among some of the changes to Pennsylvania's previous animal cruelty laws include stricter tethering regulations, harsher penalties for certain animal abuse offenses and the requirement that anyone convicted of an animal abuse offense forfeit their animal(s).

The infographic above highlights statewide data about animal abuse cases and offenses (Title 18- Sections 5532, 5533 and 5534) committed statewide from Aug. 27, 2017 through Dec. 31, 2019.