Potential Bill Makes Animal Abusers Support Pets

The Pennsylvania House of Representatives recently passed legislation that will force animal abusers to pay pet support to shelters during their trial, reports The Humane Society of the United States. Under the current law, shelters incurred thousands of dollars in costs while taking care of animals that were seized in abuse cases. With the new statute, the alleged perpetrator and an animal-shelter representative will meet with a judge immediately after the animal is seized to decide which party is responsible for shouldering the fiscal burden of the animal. “This legislation will protect nonprofit animal shelters from being bankrupted by costs incurred in large scale animal rescues,” says Pennsylvania Rep. Brian Ellis, the bill’s sponsor.