Dogs in Pennsylvania, United States: rules, tax and travel
Pennsylvania: Every dog 3 months or older must be licensed each year by 1 January with the county treasurer (3 P.S. Rabies and bite rules are in the details below.
Many dog rules in Pennsylvania are set by counties, cities or towns, so check your local animal control.
The national rules for United States apply here too. National rules
Breed rules
No breed-specific rule found.
Registration and microchip
Every dog 3 months or older must be licensed each year by 1 January with the county treasurer (3 P.S. 459-201). Lifetime licences are available for permanently identified dogs.[1]
Dog tax and licence
Annual licence 7 dollars (5 for qualifying seniors and persons with disabilities); lifetime licence 49 dollars (3 P.S. 459-201).[1]
typical 7 USD, 7 to 49 USD a year
Leash and muzzle
Dogs must be confined to the premises, secured by collar and chain, or under a person's reasonable control. Hunting, exhibition, performance and field-training dogs are exempt. Females in heat must be confined or controlled off premises (3 P.S. 459-305, 459-304).[2]
Other rules
Dogs and cats must be vaccinated within 4 weeks after 12 weeks of age (3 P.S. 455.8). The table gives no interval.[3]
The state limits local breed-specific dog laws (3 P.S. 459-507-A).[4]
Dog bite liability: Strict liability for medical costs only, negligence per se for other damages (3 P.S. 459-502).[5]
Laws change: this is general information, not legal advice. The authority linked on each line has the final word.
Sources
- animallaw.info/statute/pa-dog-law-chapter-8-dogs-consolidated-dog-laws (secondary source)
- animallaw.info/topic/table-state-dog-leash-laws (secondary source)
- animallaw.info/topic/table-rabies-vaccination-laws (secondary source)
- animallaw.info/article/overview-states-prohibit-bsl (secondary source)
- justia.com/injury/premises-liability/animal-dog-bites/dog-bite-law-50-state-survey (secondary source)