Erie addresses animal hoarding through two overlapping frameworks: (1) Article 505 of the Codified Ordinances, which prohibits keeping animals that constitute a public nuisance or menace to public health or safety; and (2) the Pennsylvania cruelty statutes at 18 Pa.C.S. Sections 5532 (neglect), 5533 (cruelty), and 5534 (aggravated cruelty), as enacted by Libre's Law in 2017. The Pennsylvania SPCA and humane society officers, working with the Erie Humane Society, enforce the criminal statutes alongside Erie Bureau of Animal Enforcement.
Erie's local rules layer with state criminal law. Article 505 of the Codified Ordinances at https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/erie/ provides the nuisance hook used in hoarding situations where odor, sanitation, or filth become apparent to neighbors and inspectors. The Pennsylvania cruelty statutes at 18 Pa.C.S. Sections 5532-5534 (https://www.animallaw.info/statute/pa-cruelty-consolidated-cruelty-statutes), as amended by Libre's Law (Act 10 of 2017, which repealed and replaced former Section 5511), provide the criminal backbone: Section 5532 (neglect) is a summary offense, escalating to a misdemeanor of the third degree if bodily injury results; Section 5533 (cruelty) is a misdemeanor of the second degree if bodily injury or imminent risk results; Section 5534 (aggravated cruelty) is a felony of the third degree if neglect or cruelty causes serious bodily injury or death. Section 5511 of the Crimes Code was repealed in 2017 and is no longer the operative statute — Sections 5532-5534 are. In Erie County the Anna M. Shelter Center / Erie Humane Society (1555 East 10th Street, 814-451-5660, https://annashelter.com/) holds the contract for animal-cruelty investigation and intake; their humane officers have authority under 22 Pa.C.S. Chapter 37 to investigate and file criminal complaints. Pennsylvania does not have a dedicated 'animal hoarder' statute equivalent to Illinois' Humane Care for Animals Act, but Sections 5532-5534 functionally cover hoarding through the neglect and cruelty provisions.
Erie Article 505 nuisance citations are summary offenses with fines from $100 to $1,000 plus abatement and daily continuing-violation penalties. State criminal penalties under the Libre's Law framework: 18 Pa.C.S. Section 5532 (neglect) summary or M3 (up to one year, $2,500); 18 Pa.C.S. Section 5533 (cruelty) M2 (up to two years, $5,000); 18 Pa.C.S. Section 5534 (aggravated cruelty) F3 (up to seven years, $15,000). Convicted defendants are typically also barred from owning animals and ordered to pay restitution for veterinary care.
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