Scranton, PA Animal Ordinances: Animal Hoarding (2026)

Scranton's local rules layer with state criminal law. Chapter 169 of the Code at https://ecode360.com/11604508 provides the nuisance hook used in hoarding situations where odor, sanitation, or filth become apparent to neighbors and inspectors — the chapter prohibits keeping animals that constitute a health hazard or that disturb the peace of the neighborhood. 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as amended by Libre's Law (Act 10 of 2017, which repealed and replaced former Section 5511), provide the criminal backbone: Section 5532 (neglect) is a summary offense, escalating to a misdemeanor of the third degree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 Section 5511 of the Crimes Code was repealed in 2017 and is no longer the operative statute — Sections 5532-5534 are.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 Lackawanna County, Griffin Pond Animal Shelter / Humane Society of Lackawanna County (https://www.griffinpondanimalshelter.com/) is the regional shelter that accepts seized animals; humane society police officers commissioned under 22 Pa.C.S. Chapter 37 investigate and file criminal complaints alongside Scranton Police and the Pennsylvania SPCA. Pennsylvania does not have a dedicated 'animal hoarder' statute, but Sections 5532-5534 functionally cover hoarding through the neglect and cruelty provisions, and convicted defendants are typically barred from future ownership.