Pennsylvania law requires all dogs to be licensed and wear tags in public places. Dogs that have been declared “dangerous” or “vicious” dogs must meet other, stricter registration requirements. 

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§ 459-202. License certificates; tag removal; exclusion for some dogs

(a) General rule. Each dog license certificate shall be dated and numbered, and shall bear the name of the county where such license is issued and any other information required pursuant to regulations promulgated by the department. All dog licenses except lifetime licenses as provided in section 201(b) [FN1] shall expire upon December 31 of the year for which the license was issued. A tag bearing the same number issued with the license certificate shall be affixed to a substantial collar or harness. The collar or harness shall be furnished by the owner, and, with the tag attached, shall at all times be kept on the dog for which the license is issued, except as otherwise provided in this act. It shall be unlawful for any person, except the owner or his authorized agent, or a State dog warden, to remove any license tag from a dog’s collar or harness or to remove any collar or harness with a license tag attached thereto from any dog, except as provided in 34 Pa.C.S. (relating to game), and except as herein or otherwise provided.

(b) Exception. The following need not wear a license tag on a collar or a harness:

(1) Dogs when confined.

(1.1) Dogs when restricted to the property of a kennel licensed under this act.

(2) Dogs when being transported for law enforcement.

(3) Dogs when being transported to or from a veterinary office pursuant to an order of the secretary for humane purposes.

(4) Dogs which are confined to the property of the owner or when training for or engaging in dog shows, performance events or hunting activities and dogs while being transported by or on behalf of their owner or keeper to or from the location at which they train or engage in dog shows, performance events or hunting activities, as long as a copy of the kennel license or individual dog license or tag is in possession of the owner or keeper accompanying each dog.

CREDIT(S)

1982, Dec. 7, P.L. 784, No. 225, art. II, § 202, effective Jan. 1, 1983. Amended 1996, Dec. 11, P.L. 943, No. 151, § 3, effective in 60 days; 2008, Oct. 9, P.L. 1450, No. 119, § 3, effective in 60 days [Dec. 8, 2008].

[FN1] 3 P.S. § 459-201.

3 P.S. § 459-202, PA ST 3 P.S. § 459-202

Current through Act 2009-52

Source: Westlaw/Thomson Reuters. PURDON’S PENNSYLVANIA STATUTES AND CONSOLIDATED STATUTES TITLE 3 P.S. AGRICULTURE CHAPTER 8. DOGS AND CATS DOG LAW ARTICLE II. LICENSES, TAGS AND KENNELS § 459-202. License certificates; tag removal; exclusion for some dogs.

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