PRINTER'S NO. 378
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No.406
Session of
2025
INTRODUCED BY MARKOSEK, HADDOCK, GIRAL, SANCHEZ, MALAGARI,
KENYATTA, DONAHUE, HILL-EVANS, HOWARD, CIRESI, SHUSTERMAN,
GREEN, CEPEDA-FREYTIZ AND CERRATO, JANUARY 29, 2025
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY, JANUARY 29, 2025
AN ACT
Amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania
Consolidated Statutes, in riot, disorderly conduct and
related offenses, providing for the offense of kidnapping of
animals.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Title 18 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated
Statutes is amended by adding a section to read:
ยง 5539.1. Kidnapping of animals.
(a) Offense defined.--A person commits an offense if the
person:
(1) intentionally, knowingly or recklessly takes, sells
or purchases any dog, cat, equine animal, swine or cattle for
resale to another, use in a laboratory or for animal
fighting; or
(2) intentionally, knowingly or recklessly takes or
carries away any dog, cat or equine animal without permission
for a special or temporary purpose.
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18 (b) Grading.--An offense under subsection (a) shall be
graded as follows:
(1) An offense under subsection (a)(1) is a felony of
the third degree and a second or subsequent offense under
subsection (a)(1) is a felony of the second degree.
(2) An offense under subsection (a)(2) is a misdemeanor
of the third degree and a second or subsequent offense under
subsection (a)(2) is a misdemeanor of the second degree.
Section 2. This act shall take effect in 60 days.
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