Pennsylvania Governor Rendell Hails Dog Law Decision

August 15, 2007 - HARRISBURG – Pennsylvania Governor Edward G. Rendell praised a decision today by the attorney general’s office to allow the Bureau of Dog Law Enforcement to make sure Pennsylvania’s dog law and related regulations are followed.

The attorney general granted authority today to Department of Agriculture attorneys to represent dog wardens who are prosecuting summary violations of the law before district judges. Before the decision, violations of the law were handled in court by dog wardens.

Article continues below...

“Our goal is to improve the health and safety of dogs and this decision will help to ensure that. I’d like to thank the attorney general’s office for quickly deciding this matter,” said Governor Rendell. “It’s extremely important that we give special prosecutors the chance to debate violations in court, as they are uniquely prepared to handle legal matters.”

In 2006, the Governor named Jeffrey Paladina, who most recently served as the assistant district attorney in Beaver County, as special prosecutor for dog law enforcement. Paladina and other department attorneys work with the bureau to ensure current laws are being enforced.

The appointment of Paladina aligned with Governor Rendell’s commitment to increasing the uniformity of dog law enforcement and regulations and improving the conditions under which dogs are bred and sold in Pennsylvania.

For more information on Pennsylvania’s dog law, visit www.agriculture.state.pa.us/padoglaw.

Source: Pennsylvania Governor