Bill Would Protect Pennsylvania Veterinarians

Proposed legislation would shield the veterinarians from liability if they report suspected cases of animal abuse.
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Proposed legislation in Pennsylvania would shield the state’s veterinarians from civil liability if they report suspected cases of animal abuse to local law enforcement authorities. 

More than 30 states, including Pennsylvania, have laws requiring veterinarians to report suspected animal abuse cases to local authorities, said Michael San Filippo, spokesperson for the American Veterinary Medical Association. Of those states, 27 have statutes protecting veterinarians from civil or even criminal prosecution if they report suspected animal abuse cases.

Introduced into the Pennsylvania House of Representatives by Rep. Mark Keller in June 2015, HB760 would shield licensed veterinarians and certified veterinary technicians from civil litigation whenever they report suspected incidents of animal abuse or cruelty to authorities. The bill is intended to further encourage veterinarians to report animal cruelty and neglect when they see it. 

“The veterinarians … asked me to sponsor a bill such as this,” Keller said

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Written by:

Pat Raia is a veteran journalist who enjoys covering equine welfare, industry, and news. In her spare time, she enjoys riding her Tennessee Walking Horse, Sonny.

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