Reading, PA Animal Ordinances: Animal Hoarding (2026)

Reading's local rules are layered. Section 141-220 at https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/readingpa/latest/reading_pa/0-0-0-6548 establishes the Animal Control Board and gives it authority to receive and grant permits to own more than six dogs and/or cats — practically capping a typical household at six total absent a special-circumstance approval. Section 141-204 at https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/readingpa/latest/reading_pa/0-0-0-6432 makes it unlawful for any person to keep any animal that constitutes a public-nuisance animal or a menace to public health or safety, which is the standard hook for 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), 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. The Animal Rescue League of Berks County (https://berksarl.org/animal-cruelty-and-humane-investigation/) is the sole provider of humane-officer investigations in Berks County under the state cruelty statutes — humane officers respond to roughly 2,000 calls per year and have authority to seize animals, file charges, and seek court orders forfeiting ownership. 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.