On Wednesday, a long-awaited victory was won for the animals of Pennsylvania as Gov. Tom Wolf signed Senate Bill 298. Known as Libre’s Law, the legislation allows district attorneys to bring felony charges against animal abusers. Libre, the pup who spurred on the creation of the new law, approved it with a paw print signature at the event.
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Libre’s Law was initiated when, almost a year ago on the Fourth of July, a delivery man spotted the horribly neglected Boston Terrier pup in a cage at an Amish breeder’s farm. After convincing the breeder to surrender the dog into his care, the delivery man rushed Libre to an emergency veterinary clinic. Suffering from mange, dehydration, and starvation, little Libre was in seemingly hopeless condition and required long-term intensive care. He was transferred to the Dillsburg Veterinary Center, where he miraculously recovered. Now, Libre has a forever home with founder of Speranza Animal Rescue, Janine Guido.
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Libre’s Law has multiple parts. As described by Humane PA, the law addresses issues such as animal neglect and cruelty, aggravated cruelty, and tethering. Violators will be charged according to the degree of cruelty they impose upon their victims. Neglect warrants up to 90 days in jail and/or a $300 fine, while aggravated cruelty, or torture, can warrant up to seven years in jail and/or a $15,000 fine. The law also implements strict tethering guidelines, including the length of time in different weather extremes and the type of collar allowed.
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Although long overdue, Libre’s Law marks significant progress for animal welfare in the state of Pennsylvania.
“Today is a day of celebration for all Pennsylvanians and animal-lovers everywhere,” said Gov. Tom Wolf. “I am proud to be a part of the true collaboration that helped make this landmark legislation a reality. Thanks to pets like Libre, Cordelia, and others whose stories have touched our hearts, we’re making great strides in animal welfare in Pennsylvania.”
That was beautiful Brett!
finally someone understands the pain and the way it should be dealt with for all those loving ones out there that dont have a voice we must continue to be theirs and stand for whats right no matter what the cost to us personally might be Governor Wolf i Salute your integrity and courage to stand up we need more in this world like you … though i am part of the Furry community and an animal lover i never understood before 4 years ago when i got my cat … i was at a low point and longing for death … i came home from work one day and laid back in my roommates recliner and this lil kitten while i rested decided to choose me at that moment while i slept it crawled up my pants leg and slowly up me to curl up purring on my shoulder since that time i continue to thank my cat who i named Fina and even registered him as a service animal to help protect and keep him with me as i am so grateful that he saved my life and truly opened my eyes before i would have seen cruelty on the news and it disappointed and angered me slightly but now that i see more i am truly outraged about those that would hurt or just turn a blind eye to the suffering of an animal. these people hurt those without a voice but wouldnt hurt their on children please Sir i ask that you give your all and attempt to open their eyes that these animals are every bit as much their children as those that walk on two legs those they are covered in more hair and walk on all fours they need as always our support … thank you for reading this its longer then i intended …
Brett Dagoberg
OMG I have goosebumps… Wat wonderful applause & well deserved to each & all..it is soooo good to have the animals win big, as they all should turnout the world. Too many suffer but now I see hope for the good guys & a hellhole for all others. P!ease keep making the laws stronger…don’t ever stop..mankind needs to win this war too.!!!hooooory GIDDY UP GO….Good work Gov…!!!!!!!
I am ecstatic to hear the good news. I and many other people love animals and the thought of them being tortured and abused is heartbreaking. I just hope every state and province will follow in your footsteps. I salute you Pennsylvania you have just made my day.????
Where are my comments if I already made them?????
Finally, a huge win for the animals !!!
Hoorray ! Well done all of you guys, all of you petitioners, all of you people of good will ! Thank you Governor !
Finally this gives us hope that animals will be treated humanely and if not, there will be a punishment!. What a great day for animals and animal lovers! It is my prayer that those monsters who abuse animals may now think twice about it.
Thank you to all who have helped make this law a reality! This law needs to be in every state for sure!! I’m in Texas, I’d gladly join in on this bandwagon.
Thank you very much for your courageous decision! We have so much animal abuse and this can last because we do not have many politicians like you who take their brave position to defend the animals !!! The man can do the worst things but he can also do good if he is brave !!! thanks again !!!
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you. You are the best, Gov. Wolf! Hopefully you are an example to other Governors in other States to follow your great example. Thank you for caring.
This is fantastic. Animals are many people’s children. When I was younger, the rotten kids of my town would torture animals and leave them for their owners to find. In many cases they were killed. It is outstanding to know that these behavior can no longer take place without consequences. Thank you so much.
Awesome news. Well done to get all the signatures. I will always sign all petitions for helping the animals. Janet, [email protected]
This should be the norm for all 50 states. I applaud Governor Wolf for passing this initiative and all states should follow his lead. Animal cruelty should never be tolerated and anyone that does harm to an animal should be locked up in prison with hardened criminals that are animal lovers. They will then get what they so rightly deserve.
Thank you – thank you and thank you a million time over! These people who abuse or neglect animals must be punished to the fullest and pay the highest fines ans fees – plus prison time as well as a registry with their mugshots and PP numbers – they must NEVER go near an animal again. THEY HAVE TO PAY!
This is the kind of victory that makes our hearts sing! Special thanks to all involved.
SO INCREDIBLY HAPPY TO HEAR THIS NEWS!!!
That’s What. IM Talking About Put All Of. THEM S. O. B. Where They. BELONG. I. Wish All Fifty. States. Would Do. The Same!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That’s WHAT I CALL POETIC. JUSTICE ????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????GOD DONT. LIKE UGLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! KARMAS A REAL BITCH????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
WOW! — Beautiful — well done to all the Legislators — thank you deeply for this law which is so desperately needed throughout the country AND the world — thank you a million times to the individuals who made this happen — there are too many animals needlessly suffering — we MUST pluck them out of their dire hellish situations & give them a normal, happy life. — THANK YOU to Gov. Wolf, THANK YOU to the delivery man, THANK YOU to the Medics/Vets, THANK YOU to the Rescuers & present guardians of Libre — HUGE SHAME on the Amish who seem to boast about their superior life style — well, this verdict should teach them a HUGE lesson — treat animals properly or get thrown in prison with a hefty fine.
Yah! – even if it’s one state at a a time
Well done!
How can we thank this governor enough?! I would like to send him a personal thank you!!!
And, I hope this convinces other governors in any other states that do not prosecute animal abuse to do the same for all the abused and neglected animals in their state! I would urge Governor Wolf to speak about this at the Governors conference that meets yearly which governors from all states in the U.S. attend.
THANK YOU GOVERNOR WOLF!!
Thank you so much for all the work put into this to protect our poor animals from evil and ignorant predators!
So much appreciated!!!
Thank you to all responsible for the passing of this law. I have waited for this for a long time.