Conklin hails committee action to advance animal protection bills
Co-sponsored stronger abuse penalties, other measures
Rep. Scott Conklin October 17, 2025 | 12:22 PM
HARRISBURG, Oct. 17 – State Rep. Scott Conklin today praised members of the Pennsylvania House Judiciary Committee for their recent votes to advance multiple animal protection bills he co-sponsored.
Conklin said the bills approved Wednesday include measures to help curb inhumane practices and strengthen reporting, prosecution, and penalties for animal cruelty.
“How we treat the most vulnerable among us reflects who we are as a society, and our laws – including animal protection laws – give force to those values,” Conklin said. “But we need to be extra vigilant when it comes to protecting those who cannot speak for themselves.
“Pennsylvania has made some great strides in recent years, including passage of Libre’s Law, which has led to the filing of more than 50,000 animal abuse offenses statewide. But fighting animal abuse and neglect is an ongoing battle. I’m encouraged that my colleagues in the Judiciary Committee advanced these bills, which will bring us one step closer to better protecting those without a voice.”
Conklin said the bills advanced would:
- increase penalties for illegal ear cropping performed by non-licensed individuals (H.B. 608).
- allow the state attorney general to prosecute felony animal cruelty cases when county district attorneys lack the experience or capacity to do so (H.B. 879).
- prohibit the declawing of cats except for medically necessary, therapeutic purposes performed by licensed veterinarians (H.B. 1716).
- create a new criminal offense for sexual crimes against animals and establish criminal penalties for sexual contact with animals and for organizing, promoting or observing such acts (H.B. 1932 and H.B. 1938).
- require veterinarians, humane societies and animal control agencies to report suspected animal cruelty to law enforcement (H.B. 1933).
The bills now head to the full House for consideration.