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Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes

18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 5532 (2026)

 Neglect of animal.

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§ 5532.  Neglect of animal.

(a)  Offense defined.--A person commits an offense if the person fails to provide for the basic needs of each animal to which the person has a duty of care, whether belonging to himself or otherwise, including any of the following:

(1)  Necessary sustenance and potable water.

(2)  Access to clean and sanitary shelter and protection from the weather. The shelter must be sufficient to permit the animal to retain body heat and keep the animal dry.

(3)  Necessary veterinary care.

(b)  Grading.--

(1)  Except as set forth in paragraph (2), a violation of this section is a summary offense.

(2)  If the violation causes bodily injury to the animal or places the animal at imminent risk of serious bodily injury, a violation of this section is a misdemeanor of the third degree.

(Oct. 24, 2018, P.L.685, No.104, eff. 60 days)

 

2018 Amendment.  Act 104 amended subsec. (a).

Cross References.  Section 5532 is referred to in sections 5534, 5536, 5560 of this title.

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 14 cases (14 in the last 5 years), 2021–2025 · leading case: In re Private Crim. Complaint, 271 A.3d 516, 2022 PA Super 37 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2022).
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In re Private Crim. Complaint, 271 A.3d 516, 2022 PA Super 37 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2022). · cites it 8× “18 Pa.C.S. § 5532. Since § 5532 provides no express mens rea element, to the extent that a violation is charged as a misdemeanor, the Commonwealth must establish that the defendant acted at least recklessly.”
Com. v. Ruggiano, J., No. 1228 MDA 2023 (Pa. Super. Ct. July 12, 2024). · cites it 5× “§§ 5532(a)(1)-(2) and/or 5533(a); (2) proof of ownership, veterinary care, and food purchased for animals; (3) proof of occupancy, residency, ownership, and/or use of the property; and (4) any evidence of general violations of 18 Pa.C.S. §§ 5532(a)(1)-(2) and/or 5533(a).”
Tammy R.A. Little v. Dept. of Agric., 263 A.3d 57 (Pa. Commw. Ct. 2021). · cites it 5× “Chapter 55, Subchapter B—specifically 18 Pa.C.S. § 5532 (relating to 2 The Secretary found that Petitioner’s kennel has been subject to inspections by a state dog warden and the local animal control officer, with the latter filing nine summary charges each of unsanitary…”
In re Private Crim. Complaint, No. 374 MDA 2021 (Pa. Super. Ct. Feb. 8, 2022). · cites it 4× “18 Pa.C.S. § 5532. Since § 5532 provides no express mens rea element, to the extent that a violation is charged as a misdemeanor, the Commonwealth must establish that the defendant acted at least recklessly.”
Barraclough v. Animal Friends, Inc., No. 2:23-cv-00654 (W.D. Pa. Nov. 6, 2023). · cites it 3× “18 Pa.C.S. § 5532(a). Specifically, the magistrate judge found probable cause that Plaintiffs failed to provide access “to clean and sanitary shelter and protection from the weather” which sufficiently “permit[s] the animal to retain body heat and keep the animal dry[,]” and…”
Com. v. Havican, G., No. 291 WDA 2024 (Pa. Super. Ct. Feb. 13, 2025). · cites it 2× “§ 5534(a)(2)), 19 counts of neglect of animals — causing bodily injury or placing the animal at risk of serious bodily injury (M3) (18 Pa.C.S. § 5532(a)(3)), and 65 counts of neglect of animals (S) (18 Pa.”
Com. v. Berrios, C., No. 1686 MDA 2024 (Pa. Super. Ct. June 17, 2025). · cites it 2× “The Commonwealth established that Appellant had a duty of care for all five dogs.”
Harr v. Washington Area Humane Soc'y, No. 2:21-cv-01560 (W.D. Pa. Sept. 30, 2025). · cites it 2× “However, Plaintiff advised of a situation that occurred in Washington County that could be interpreted to be a violation of 18 Pa.C.S. § 5532 §§ A1 Neglect of Animals - Sustenance/Water and offered to enter a plea to that separate non-charged situation.”
Adoption of M.H., Appeal of: K.W., 277 A.3d 1157 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2022). “Ann, § 5534(a)(Q), 6 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. Ann. §§ 5532(a)(2), (a)(3).”
Com. v. Arthur, D., No. 752 MDA 2022 (Pa. Super. Ct. Aug. 29, 2023). “18 Pa.C.S. § 5532(a). Appellant’s attack on the evidentiary sufficiency of her conviction is two- fold.”
Com. v. Morris, J., No. 76 MDA 2023 (Pa. Super. Ct. Oct. 3, 2023). “J-S27001-23 Briefly, Appellant was charged with three counts of aggravated cruelty to animals, as well as ten counts of neglect of an animal, 18 Pa.C.S. § 5532(a), based on his neglect and/or abuse of horses that he owned.”
Crooker v. Tessitore, No. 3:20-cv-01695 (M.D. Pa. Dec. 11, 2023). “Peters was found guilty of eight counts under 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. §5532 (a) for neglect of animals.”
Show all 14 citing cases →
18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 5532(a): 5 cases
In re Private Crim. Complaint, 271 A.3d 516, 2022 PA Super 37 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2022). “18 Pa.C.S. § 5532. Since § 5532 provides no express mens rea element, to the extent that a violation is charged as a misdemeanor, the Commonwealth must establish that the defendant acted at least recklessly.”
In re Private Crim. Complaint, No. 374 MDA 2021 (Pa. Super. Ct. Feb. 8, 2022). “18 Pa.C.S. § 5532. Since § 5532 provides no express mens rea element, to the extent that a violation is charged as a misdemeanor, the Commonwealth must establish that the defendant acted at least recklessly.”
Com. v. Arthur, D., No. 752 MDA 2022 (Pa. Super. Ct. Aug. 29, 2023). “18 Pa.C.S. § 5532(a). Appellant’s attack on the evidentiary sufficiency of her conviction is two- fold.”
Com. v. Morris, J., No. 76 MDA 2023 (Pa. Super. Ct. Oct. 3, 2023). “J-S27001-23 Briefly, Appellant was charged with three counts of aggravated cruelty to animals, as well as ten counts of neglect of an animal, 18 Pa.C.S. § 5532(a), based on his neglect and/or abuse of horses that he owned.”
Barraclough v. Animal Friends, Inc., No. 2:23-cv-00654 (W.D. Pa. Nov. 6, 2023). “18 Pa.C.S. § 5532(a). Specifically, the magistrate judge found probable cause that Plaintiffs failed to provide access “to clean and sanitary shelter and protection from the weather” which sufficiently “permit[s] the animal to retain body heat and keep the animal dry[,]” and…”
18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 5532(a)(1): 4 cases
Com. v. Ruggiano, J., No. 1228 MDA 2023 (Pa. Super. Ct. July 12, 2024). “§§ 5532(a)(1)-(2) and/or 5533(a); (2) proof of ownership, veterinary care, and food purchased for animals; (3) proof of occupancy, residency, ownership, and/or use of the property; and (4) any evidence of general violations of 18 Pa.C.S. §§ 5532(a)(1)-(2) and/or 5533(a).”
Harr v. Washington Area Humane Soc'y, No. 2:21-cv-01560 (W.D. Pa. Sept. 5, 2024).
Com. v. Berrios, C., No. 1686 MDA 2024 (Pa. Super. Ct. June 17, 2025). “The Commonwealth established that Appellant had a duty of care for all five dogs.”
Harr v. Washington Area Humane Soc'y, No. 2:21-cv-01560 (W.D. Pa. Sept. 30, 2025). “However, Plaintiff advised of a situation that occurred in Washington County that could be interpreted to be a violation of 18 Pa.C.S. § 5532 §§ A1 Neglect of Animals - Sustenance/Water and offered to enter a plea to that separate non-charged situation.”
18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 5532(a)(2): 3 cases
Tammy R.A. Little v. Dept. of Agric., 263 A.3d 57 (Pa. Commw. Ct. 2021). “Chapter 55, Subchapter B—specifically 18 Pa.C.S. § 5532 (relating to 2 The Secretary found that Petitioner’s kennel has been subject to inspections by a state dog warden and the local animal control officer, with the latter filing nine summary charges each of unsanitary…”
Adoption of M.H., Appeal of: K.W., 277 A.3d 1157 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2022). “Ann, § 5534(a)(Q), 6 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. Ann. §§ 5532(a)(2), (a)(3).”
Barraclough v. Animal Friends, Inc., No. 2:23-cv-00654 (W.D. Pa. Nov. 6, 2023). “18 Pa.C.S. § 5532(a). Specifically, the magistrate judge found probable cause that Plaintiffs failed to provide access “to clean and sanitary shelter and protection from the weather” which sufficiently “permit[s] the animal to retain body heat and keep the animal dry[,]” and…”
18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 5532(a)(3): 3 cases
Com. v. Ruggiano, J., No. 1228 MDA 2023 (Pa. Super. Ct. July 12, 2024). “§§ 5532(a)(1)-(2) and/or 5533(a); (2) proof of ownership, veterinary care, and food purchased for animals; (3) proof of occupancy, residency, ownership, and/or use of the property; and (4) any evidence of general violations of 18 Pa.C.S. §§ 5532(a)(1)-(2) and/or 5533(a).”
Com. v. Havican, G., No. 291 WDA 2024 (Pa. Super. Ct. Feb. 13, 2025). “§ 5534(a)(2)), 19 counts of neglect of animals — causing bodily injury or placing the animal at risk of serious bodily injury (M3) (18 Pa.C.S. § 5532(a)(3)), and 65 counts of neglect of animals (S) (18 Pa.”
Barraclough v. Animal Friends, Inc., No. 2:23-cv-00654 (W.D. Pa. Nov. 6, 2023). “18 Pa.C.S. § 5532(a). Specifically, the magistrate judge found probable cause that Plaintiffs failed to provide access “to clean and sanitary shelter and protection from the weather” which sufficiently “permit[s] the animal to retain body heat and keep the animal dry[,]” and…”
18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 5532(b): 1 case
Tammy R.A. Little v. Dept. of Agric., 263 A.3d 57 (Pa. Commw. Ct. 2021). “Chapter 55, Subchapter B—specifically 18 Pa.C.S. § 5532 (relating to 2 The Secretary found that Petitioner’s kennel has been subject to inspections by a state dog warden and the local animal control officer, with the latter filing nine summary charges each of unsanitary…”
18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 5532(b)(1): 2 cases
In re Private Crim. Complaint, 271 A.3d 516, 2022 PA Super 37 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2022). “18 Pa.C.S. § 5532. Since § 5532 provides no express mens rea element, to the extent that a violation is charged as a misdemeanor, the Commonwealth must establish that the defendant acted at least recklessly.”
In re Private Crim. Complaint, No. 374 MDA 2021 (Pa. Super. Ct. Feb. 8, 2022). “18 Pa.C.S. § 5532. Since § 5532 provides no express mens rea element, to the extent that a violation is charged as a misdemeanor, the Commonwealth must establish that the defendant acted at least recklessly.”
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