Philadelphia Code Title 10 Chapter 10-104 caps household animals at twelve and bans neglectful conditions. ACCT Philly and PSPCA humane officers refer hoarding to police under 18 Pa.C.S. §5511, which criminalizes failing to provide food, water, shelter, or veterinary care.
Philadelphia Code §10-104 limits each dwelling to twelve total cats and dogs and forbids unsanitary or unsafe animal conditions. ACCT Philly Animal Care and Control responds first; the Pennsylvania SPCA holds statewide humane-officer authority and files cases jointly with the Philadelphia Police Department. State law 18 Pa.C.S. §5511 (now Title 18 Chapter 55 after Libre's Law) makes neglect a summary, misdemeanor, or felony depending on suffering. Convictions can include animal forfeiture, restitution for veterinary costs, mandatory mental-health evaluation, and a court order banning future ownership. License-and-Inspections may also condemn the property as unfit.
Charges range from summary cruelty up to third-degree felony under 18 Pa.C.S. §5511 when serious bodily injury or death occurs. Penalties include animal seizure, fines, jail time, and forfeiture. Property may be tagged unfit by L&I; civil cleanup costs apply.
Philadelphia, PA
Philadelphia Code §10-104 caps the total number of dogs and cats per dwelling at twelve. Households above the cap need a kennel license through Licenses and ...
Philadelphia, PA
Exotic pet ownership in Philadelphia is primarily governed by Pennsylvania state law. The PA Game Commission requires an exotic wildlife possession permit un...
See how Philadelphia's animal hoarding rules stack up against other locations.
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