New law unleashes stiffer penalties for animal abuse

For those who consider pets as members of their family, it is hard for them to understand how people can be so cruel and callous toward animals.

When you put this concept into perspective, however, all you have to do is to consider what men and women do to other humans. The brutality is stunning.

Still, when it comes to animals, we take the position that, unlike humans, they are helpless and rely on us for their care, feeding and loving. So when we see examples of inhumane treatment, we ask how people can be so uncaring and heartless.

In recognition of the growing disgust with those who perpetrate abuse on animals, Gov. Tom Wolf signed “Libre’s Law” on June 28, which took effect 60 days later.

Libre is the Boston terrier whose suffering at a Lancaster County farm touched off an international demand for tougher animal-cruelty laws.

The lethargic General Assembly rose to the occasion, passed the bill and sent it to the governor for his signature. As an added cute touch, Libre’s paw print was affixed next to the governor’s signature.

The legislation updates and clarifies the existing animal abuse law and increases penalties for abusing any animal. The new law also creates a clear understanding of what is a misdemeanor, felony or summary offense.

Here are some of the key provisions of the new law:

• Tethering — Dogs cannot be tethered for more than nine hours in a 24-hour period. In extreme weather conditions (above 90 or below 30 degrees), dogs cannot be tethered for more than 30 minutes. The animal’s tether must be longer than three times the length of the animal, or at least 10 feet. Tethered dogs must have water and shade and must be secured by an appropriate collar.

• Protection for horses — Until the law passed, crimes against horses were considered summary offenses, like littering or minor traffic violations. Now abuse of horses will carry the same penalties as those involving dogs and cats.

• Increased penalties. Summary offense (up to 90 days in jail and/or a $300 fine) or misdemeanor of the third degree (up to one year in jail and/or $2,000 fine) if neglect causes bodily injury or puts the animal in imminent danger. Penalties for cruelty: Misdemeanor of the second degree (up to two years in jail and/or a $5,000 fine). Penalties for aggravated cruelty: Felony of the third degree (up to seven years in jail and/or a $15,000 fine)

• Anyone convicted of a felony involving an animal must forfeit the animal.

• Licensed doctors of veterinary medicine, technicians and assistants who report animal cruelty in good faith will be shielded from lawsuits.

As he signed the bill, Wolf called it a day of celebration for animals. “I am proud that we will now hold our pet and animal owners to a higher standard of humanity,” the governor said. The state Veterinary Medical Association called the passage an “incredible victory” for animals. We do, too.

To punctuate why these protections are important, we need look no further than the behavior of one of the area’s most notorious animal abusers — Derbe “Skip” Eckhart.

Over a period of nearly 30 years, Eckhart has been charged with abuse of animals, the latest coming the week of Sept. 11 after an investigation in May. Lehigh County District Attorney Jim Martin said Eckhart has been charged with 58 counts of cruelty to animals following a May 5 raid at his Hidden Hill Farm in Germansville, Heidelberg Township. Taken in the raid were 35 cats, eight dogs and five horses. Two kittens were later euthanized because they could not be saved.

Over the years, Eckhart has been charged numerous times for animal cruelty and has spent almost 10 months in jail. He was on probation as the latest charges were filed.

In 1988, at the age of 26, Eckhart was sentenced to two to 10 months in Carbon County Correctional Facility and fined $100 on each of 32 counts of abuse and cruelty. The charges stemmed from a raid on a Mahoning Township kennel he operated. Forty-five dogs were taken. Most were suffering from problems ranging from malnutrition to mange. As a result of this conviction, the state revoked his kennel license. This did not step Eckhart from selling dogs and moving his operation from place to place to stay ahead of the law.

Given the number of infractions for cruelty and inhumane treatment of animals, Eckhart should never get within a mile of an animal ever again.

By Bruce Frassinelli | tneditor@tnonline.com