HB 1299 5572. This bill is named “Victoria’s Law” after Victoria – a disabled German Shepherd who was rescued from a puppy mill after 10 years of breeding. The legislation was crafted to prohibit the sale of commercially raised dogs, cats, and rabbits in pet stores across Pennsylvania unless the animals come from shelters and rescues
(a) Requirement.–An individual required to possess a Federal, State, or local license to breed or broker dogs shall prominently include that individual’s name or business name as registered with the licensing agency and each applicable Federal, State, or local license number in the text of an advertisement offer for the sale of a dog through a newspaper, posting, the mail, an Internet website or another form of media.
(b) Penalty.–An individual who violates subsection
(a) shall be subject to a civil penalty of $100 for each advertisement offer. § 5573. Sales by pet shops.
(a) Offense defined.–No pet shop may offer for sale a dog, cat, or rabbit. Subsection (a) shall not be construed to prohibit a pet shop from providing space to an animal care facility or animal rescue organization if:
(1) the animal care facility or animal rescue organization offers dogs, cats, or rabbits for adoption in accordance with the adoption procedures of section 902-A of the Dog Law;
(2) the pet shop does not have an ownership interest in the animals offered; and
(3) the pet shop does not receive a fee for providing space for the adoption of an animal.
(c) Grading.–A violation of this section is a summary offense punishable by a fine of not less than $500 per animal offered for sale in violation of this section.
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