Pennsylvania HB 1074: An Act amending the act of December 7, 1982 (P.L.784, No.225), known as the Dog Law, in injury to dogs, providing for contracts for sale of dogs and cats.

Bill Text

PRINTER'S NO. 1173
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No. 1074
Session of
2025
INTRODUCED BY McNEILL, HOWARD, HILL-EVANS, SANCHEZ, MALAGARI,
GIRAL, MERSKI, MADDEN, HOHENSTEIN AND NEILSON, MARCH 31, 2025
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE AND RURAL AFFAIRS,
MARCH 31, 2025
AN ACT
Amending the act of December 7, 1982 (P.L.784, No.225), entitled
"An act relating to dogs, regulating the keeping of dogs;
providing for the licensing of dogs and kennels; providing
for the protection of dogs and the detention and destruction
of dogs in certain cases; regulating the sale and
transportation of dogs; declaring dogs to be personal
property and the subject of theft; providing for the
abandonment of animals; providing for the assessment of
damages done to animals; providing for payment of damages by
the Commonwealth in certain cases and the liability of the
owner or keeper of dogs for such damages; imposing powers and
duties on certain State and local officers and employees;
providing penalties; and creating a Dog Law Restricted
Account," in injury to dogs, providing for contracts for sale
of dogs and cats.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. The act of December 7, 1982 (P.L.784, No.225),
known as the Dog Law, is amended by adding a section to read:
Section 604. Contracts for sale of dogs and cats.
(a) General rule.--Except as provided in subsection (b), a
contract to transfer ownership of a dog or cat in which
ownership or repossession of the dog or cat is contingent upon
the making of payments over a period of time subsequent to the
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transfer of possession of the dog or cat is void as against
public policy.
(b) Exception.--Subsection (a) shall not apply to payments
to repay an unsecured loan for the purchase of a dog or cat.
(c) Leases.--A contract entered into for the lease of a dog
or cat that provides for or offers the option of transferring
ownership of the dog or cat at the end of the lease term is void
as against public policy.
(d) Remedy.--In addition to any other remedies provided by
law, the consumer taking possession of a dog or cat transferred
under a contract or lease described in subsection (a) or (c)
shall be deemed the owner of the dog or cat and shall also be
entitled to the return of all amounts the consumer paid under
the contract or lease.
(e) Construction.--Nothing in this section shall be
construed to limit the enforcement of any other provision of
this act.
(f) Definition.--As used in this section, the term
"consumer" shall mean an individual.
Section 2. The addition of section 604 of the act shall
apply to contracts entered into on or after the effective date
of this section.
Section 3. This act shall take effect in 60 days.
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