A woman with two Stafordshire terriers (pit bulls) was allowing her dogs to run through the park. According to The Humane Society of the United States respectively, "Shock collars use electric current passing through metal contact points on the collar to give your dog a signal. 7 M. R. S. A. However, depending on an individual dog’s genetics, environment and early learning experiences, behavior problems may still occur, in spite of an owner’s best efforts. (v) the length of the tether from the cable run to the dog's collar or harness shall allow continuous access to clean water and appropriate shelter at all times as described in subsection (c); provided, however, that a trolley system or tether shall be of appropriate configuration to confine the dog to the owner's, guardian's or keeper's property, to prevent the trolley system or tether from extending over an object to an edge that could result in injury to or strangulation of the dog and to prevent the trolley system or tether from becoming tangled with other object or animals. I have no doubt that those who still rely on painful, outdated methods will roar and call me all kinds of names in the comments. The state provides punishment for neglect in 18 Pa.C.S.A. The beep also allows you to give a verbal command (“No!” or “Down!”) with the warning beep or vibration to further disrupt the unwanted … to point out that such devices would be illegal for the correction or control of mentally impaired humans or young children, who were unable to understand and respond to verbal instructions. If the dog has been tethered less than 9 hours within a 24-hour period with all of the following conditions, it is a rebuttable presumption that it IS NOT neglect: (i) The tether is of a type commonly used for the size and breed of dog and is at least three times the length of the dog as measured from the tip of its nose to the base of its tail or 10 feet, whichever is longer. The Kennel Club has written to Ministers in Westminster, Scotland and Northern Ireland (shock collars were made illegal in Wales in 2010) to discuss this important issue in greater detail and hopes to hear from the Ministers regarding their departments’ next steps in this matter. Animal neglect in the second degree is a Class B misdemeanor. 70/3 (b) To lawfully tether a dog outdoors, an owner must ensure that the dog: (1) does not suffer from a condition that is known, by that person, to be exacerbated by tethering; (2) is tethered in a manner that will prevent it from becoming entangled with other tethered dogs; (3) is not tethered with a lead that (i) exceeds one-eighth of the dog's body weight or (ii) is a tow chain or a log chain; (4) is tethered with a lead that measures, when rounded to the nearest whole foot, at least 10 feet in length; (5) is tethered with a properly fitting harness or collar other than the lead or a pinch, prong, or choke-type collar; and. West Virginia and the District of Columbia include “cruelly chains” in its list of activities that constitute misdemeanor animal cruelty. Each owner shall provide for each of his companion animals: Adequate space in the primary enclosure for the particular type of animal depending upon its age, size, species, and weight. If dog houses with tethers are used as primary enclosures for dogs kept outdoors, the tethers shall be attached so that the dog cannot become entangled with other objects or come into physical contact with other dogs in the housing facility, and so the dog can roam to the full range of the tether. Additionally, fear or anxiety can lead to poor performance. Under § 4016, a person who violates this chapter commits a civil violation. The barbaric act of using a shock collar on a dog to control them due to our own inability and inhumane attitude is the kind of thinking that put Hitler in control for so long. A local governing authority may establish a fine not to exceed $75 which may be imposed on anyone who violates the provisions of this Section. If an animal is restricted by a leash, rope, or chain, the leash, rope, or chain shall be affixed in such a manner that it will prevent the animal from becoming entangled or injured and permit the animal's access to adequate shelter, food, and water. For the second offense within the immediately preceding 7 years, is guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be sentenced to: (1) Imprisonment in the city or county jail or detention facility for not less than 10 days, but not more than 6 months; and. (3) Keep any dog tethered for more than ten (10) hours during a twenty-four-hour (24) period or keep any dog confined in an area or primary enclosure for more than fourteen (14) hours during any twenty-four-hour (24) period, and more than ten (10) hours during a twenty-four-hour (24) period, if the area is not greater than that which is required under the most recently adopted version of the department of environmental management's rules and regulations governing animal care facilities. Here are my interpretations, minus the scientific jargon (as I am writing for the non-trainer), from this letter: An excerpt of the open letter follows. Please share your experiences in the comments. Cal. Indiana defines “neglect” as restraining an animal for more than a brief period in a manner that endangers the animal's life or health by the use of a rope, chain, or tether. For example, Indiana, Michigan, and Pennsylvania require that the tether be three times the length of the dog. For purposes of this section, "maliciously" means the person imposed the restraint intentionally and with malice or bad motive. This site is not a law firm and cannot offer legal advice. While the laws themselves vary from state to state, they do have several consistent features. West’s Ann. A person may temporarily tether a dog “no longer than is necessary for the person to complete a temporary task.”. a tether that does not have swivels on both ends to prevent twisting and tangling, unless a person is in the presence of such dog. Sign this petition to tell the House Committee on Agriculture, the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, and USDA Animal Care to amend the Animal Welfare Act to ban shock collars nation-wide..