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 requi...