Pennsylvania Law on Dog Bites

Pennsylvania has passed several laws regarding dogs, including laws covering dog bites. The laws cover required insurance policies for dangerous dogs, categorize dog bites according to the damage that the bite causes to a person, and address the history of dangerous dogs. Dog bite law in Pennsylvania also explains how to restrain a dog that has bitten a person, as well as what happens to a dog that bites someone.

  1. Dangerous Dog Law

    • Dangerous dog law is established by the state of Pennsylvania. This law applies to owners who possess dogs that have previously endangered humans. The law covers dogs that have attacked people, as well as livestock or other pets, without being provoked. Dangerous dog law also applies to dogs that were involved in helping lawbreakers commit crimes. These aggressive dogs must be covered by a surety bond of at least $50,000 dollars in Pennsylvania, according to the state of Connecticut.

    Biting Dog Restraints

    • Dangerous dogs must be restrained by their owners. A guard dog or other dangerous dog must be confined in a kennel or behind a fence. This fence must be at least six feet high and designed so that the dog cannot climb the fence from the side of the fence the dog is on, according to Reading County. Additionally, the dog must have a muzzle and a chain attached when it travels outside this enclosure.

    Impounding

    • Dogs may be impounded if they have previously bitten someone and are found away from their owner's property without proper restraints. According to the city of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, the impounded dog will only be released on the orders of the Police Commissioner after the owner has paid applicable fines, including food and boarding costs for the dog.

    Rabies

    • Rabies is a concern with dog bites. A police officer is not allowed to release a dog to its owner once it is impounded if it is suspected that the dog has rabies. If the dog is on the owner's property it must remain there and have a muzzle attached, including situations where the dog was bitten by another dog that is suspected of having rabies. A dog suspected of having rabies and threatening to bite people may be killed by police without warning the dog owner.

    Registration and Warnings

    • Pennsylvania requires notification of the state authorities and registration of any dog that has bitten people. According to the state of Nebraska, Pennsylvania law requires the biting dog to wear tags that show that it has harmed someone, as well as clearly marked warning signs on the kennel or fence where the dog is kept on the owner's property. The warning signs must be standardized to ensure that all neighbors passing by know that the dog has bitten someone.