How to Recognize Suspected Abuse or Neglect
If you see or know of a large animal that looks very thin and/or sick; is injured and untreated; has no adequate shelter in bad weather; is kept in unsanitary conditions; or is being cruelly treated, please report suspected abuse or neglect to LAPS by calling 610-869-9880. All calls are confidential.
Animal cruelty is illegal in Pennsylvania:
Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes
Title 18: Crimes and Offenses
Chapter 55. Riot, Disorderly Conduct and Related Offenses
Sub-Chapter B, §5531 – §5561.
§ 5532. Neglect of Animal–
(a) Offense defined. —A person commits an offense if the person fails to provide any of the following for each animal to which the person has a duty of care, whether belonging to himself or otherwise.
(1) Necessary sustenance and potable water.
(2) Access to clean and sanitary shelter and protection from the weather. The shelter must be sufficient to permit the animal to retain body heat and keep the animal dry.
(3) Necessary veterinary care.
(b) Grading. —
(1) Except as set forth in paragraph (2), a violation of this section is a summary offense.
(2) If the violation causes bodily injury to the animal or places the animal at imminent risk of serious bodily injury, a violation of this section is a misdemeanor of the third degree.
(b) Cross References. —Section 5532 is referred to in sections 5534, 5536, 5560 of this title.
To Read the entire law, CLICK HERE
Henneke Scale of Horse Body Condition
The Henneke Scale is an objective measure of horse body condition. It is illegal to offer for sale a horse with a Body Condition of 1-3. If a horse has a Body Condition of 1-3, you should suspect abuse.
Transporting horses in a double-decker semitrailer, to slaughter or for any other reason, is inhumane and illegal. If you see horses on the highway in a double-decker, call 911 and report it immediately.