On Wednesday, March 20, at 9:30a.m., the Pennsylvania Senate Game and Fisheries Committee is scheduled to consider a bill with serious implications for those who hunt with dogs. The proposed legislation makes changes to the laws related to trespassing on private property while hunting.
Senate Bill 1087 would not only allow for a hunter, even if unarmed, to be charged with trespassing if they go on posted property to retrieve a dog, but would also allow for a hunter to be charged with trespassing if their dog strays onto posted property.
Summary:
Under existing law, a hunter is allowed to recover a dog from posted property, provided they are not armed. This allows the hunter to show that they are not actively hunting but are only on the property to retrieve their dog. This bill eliminates a hunter’s ability to retrieve their dog without facing a penalty that includes fines and the loss of their hunting license for 3 to 5 years. Further, SB 1087 allows for trespassing charges to be filed when just the dog crosses on to posted land, holding the hunter responsible and liability for criminal charges, fines, and loss of hunting license.
What You Can Do:
Senate Bill 1087 is scheduled for consider by the Senate Game and Fisheries Committee on Wednesday, March 20, 2024, at 9:30am.
We encourage you to contact Senator Greg Rothman, the bill sponsor and Chair of the Senate Game and Fisheries Committee. Let him know that the bill is overly broad and could potentially lead to the harm, if not loss of dogs, who wander inadvertently onto posted property.
You may also contact the members of the Game and Fisheries Committee to share any comments you may have.
AKC Government Relations will continue to closely monitor this bill and communicate with the General Assembly. For more information, contact doglaw@akc.org.