During a State Department of Agriculture budget meeting in Harrisburg, lawmakers shared their concerns over the poor financial state of Pennsylvania’s dog law fund.
The fund pays for the enforcement of dog laws state wide, but it has been struggling to pay off its debts in recent years.
State Ag Secretary Russell Redding says, “the well is running dry, we’ll be lucky to get through this fiscal year without being in the negative. But as soon as we start the next fiscal year, we’ll have a negative fund.”
The fund gets its money through dog license fees, which is currently $6.50. Officials say that fee isn’t enough, and there’s a lot at stake if something isn’t done.
“What happens?” Redding said. “The ability of the department to address issues of dangerous dogs, the strays (will) remain stray, the issues of protecting public safety, and kennels will be the impact.”