York County has no ordinance using the word 'hoarding,' and animal-cruelty enforcement is statewide. Severe cases are prosecuted under Pennsylvania's Title 18 cruelty and neglect statutes, while the PA Dog Law's 26-dog kennel threshold and local pet limits cap large accumulations. The York County SPCA takes in seized animals.
Pennsylvania handles animal accumulation through state law rather than a county hoarding ordinance. Neglect, cruelty, and failure to provide necessary care are graded offenses under Title 18 (18 Pa.C.S. §5532 for neglect, §5533 for cruelty, and §5534 aggravated cruelty), enforced by humane society police officers, State Dog Wardens, and local police. Keeping 26 or more dogs in a year triggers the PA Dog Law's kennel-license and inspection regime, and any local borough or township pet limit further caps how many animals a home may hold. When animals are seized from a hoarding situation, the York County SPCA typically shelters them and costs can be charged to the owner. Health and sanitation conditions from too many animals can also draw local
Neglect is a summary or misdemeanor offense and cruelty can be a misdemeanor or felony under Title 18, with fines, forfeiture of the animals, and possible bans on future ownership. Unlicensed keeping of 26+ dogs violates the PA Dog Law
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See how York County's animal hoarding rules stack up against other locations.
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