With some simple changes to state law, Pennsylvania can do a much better job at protecting animals being bred and used for research in animal testing laboratories, and from kennels and dealers who face serious or multiple citations under the Dog and Cat Protection Act.
The bill, introduced in the Senate by state Senators Carolyn Comitta and Doug Mastriano would restrict the import and sale of animals (not just beagles) from kennels and dealers with serious or multiple citations under the federal Animal Welfare Act, require those breeding dogs and cats for medical or scientific experimentation to keep records, enhance animal adoption, and close loopholes in our animal cruelty law.
SB 381: The Beagle Bill
- Prevents laboratories from using state funds to support painful experiments on dogs and cats.
- Blocks public funds from being used to devocalize dogs or cats in laboratories or to purchase dogs or cats who have been devocalized.
- Prevents dealers and kennels from selling or attempting to sell dogs and cats born at facilities with serious or sustained Animal Welfare Act citations.
- Requires laboratories to allow dogs and cats the chance to be adopted into loving homes after the experiments are over.
- Mandates that institutions receiving state funding disclose information about animal experiments conducted at their facilities and the amount of the state funding used for animal experiments.
- Requires laboratories that test pesticides, drugs, cosmetics, chemicals or other products on animals to use nonanimal tests once approved by the proper regulatory agencies.