HB 2298 — An Act amending the act of December 7, 1982 (P.L.784, No.225), known as the Dog Law, in short title and definitions, further providing for definitions; and, in enforcement and penalties, further providing for enforcement of this act by the secretary and provisions for inspections.

PRINTER'S NO.   3011

                     THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA



                         HOUSE BILL
                         No. 2298
                                               Session of
                                                 2026

     INTRODUCED BY BENNINGHOFF, ARMANINI, BERNSTINE, CIRESI, DELLOSO,
        HADDOCK, KAUFFMAN, KRUPA, KUZMA, M. MACKENZIE, ROWE, SMITH,
        STENDER AND WATRO, MARCH 17, 2026

     REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE AND RURAL AFFAIRS,
        MARCH 18, 2026


                                    AN ACT
 1   Amending the act of December 7, 1982 (P.L.784, No.225),
 2      entitled, as amended, "An act relating to dogs, regulating
 3      the keeping of dogs; providing for the licensing of dogs and
 4      kennels; providing for the protection of dogs and the
 5      detention and destruction of dogs in certain cases;
 6      regulating the sale and transportation of dogs; declaring
 7      dogs to be personal property and the subject of theft;
 8      providing for the abandonment of animals; providing for the
 9      assessment of damages done to animals; providing for payment
10      of damages by the Commonwealth in certain cases and the
11      liability of the owner or keeper of dogs for such damages;
12      imposing powers and duties on certain State and local
13      officers and employees; providing penalties; and creating a
14      Dog Law Restricted Account," in short title and definitions,
15      further providing for definitions; and, in enforcement and
16      penalties, further providing for enforcement of this act by
17      the secretary and provisions for inspections.
18      The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
19   hereby enacts as follows:
20      Section 1.    Section 102 of the act of December 7, 1982
21   (P.L.784, No.225), known as the Dog Law, is amended by adding a
22   definition to read:
23   Section 102.    Definitions.
24      The following words and phrases when used in this act shall
 1   have, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the
 2   meanings given to them in this section:
 3      * * *
 4      "Stun gun."    A device that is designed to emit an electronic,
 5   magnetic or other type of charge to temporarily immobilize or
 6   incapacitate.
 7      * * *
 8      Section 2.    Section 901(b.2), (b.3), (b.4) and (b.5) of the
 9   act are amended to read:
10   Section 901.    Enforcement of this act by the secretary;
11                 provisions for inspections.
12      * * *
13      (b.2)     Limitation on the possession of firearms and stun
14   guns.--No dog warden or employee of the department shall carry,
15   possess or use a firearm or stun gun in the performance of
16   duties[.] unless the person has the approval of the secretary
17   and holds a current and valid certification in the use and
18   handling of firearms or stun guns under at least one of the
19   following:
20          (1)     The act of October 10, 1974 (P.L.705, No.235), known
21      as the Lethal Weapons Training Act.
22          (2)     44 Pa.C.S. Ch. 74 Subch. C (relating to sheriff and
23      deputy sheriff education and training).
24          (3)     53 Pa.C.S. Ch. 21 Subch. D (relating to municipal
25      police education and training).
26          (4)     A firearm or stun gun training program which has
27      been determined by the Commissioner of Pennsylvania State
28      Police to be of sufficient scope and duration to provide the
29      participant with basic training in the use and handling of
30      firearms or stun guns. A training program under this

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 1      paragraph may be provided by the department for dog wardens.
 2      (b.3)   Application of section to prior dog wardens.--
 3          (1)    Any dog warden or employee of the department who,
 4      prior to the effective date of this act, has successfully
 5      completed a training program similar to that required under
 6      subsection (b.1) shall, after review by the secretary, be
 7      certified as having met the training requirements of this
 8      act. Any dog warden or employee of the department who, prior
 9      to the effective date of this act, has not successfully
10      completed a training program similar to that required under
11      subsection (b.1) may continue to perform the duties of a dog
12      warden until the person has successfully completed the
13      required training program, but not longer than two years from
14      the effective date of this act.
15          (2)    (Reserved).
16          (3)    A dog warden or employee of the department who,
17      prior to the effective date of this paragraph, has not
18      received approval of the secretary and not been certified in
19      the use and handling of firearms or stun guns under one or
20      more of the statutes under subsection (b.2)(1), (2) or (3) or
21      a program under subsection (b.2)(4), may not carry or possess
22      a firearm or stun gun in the performance of the duties of a
23      dog warden until the person has, under subsection (b.2),
24      received approval of the secretary and been certified in the
25      use and handling of firearms or stun guns.
26      (b.4)   Refusal, suspension or revocation authorized.--The
27   department may refuse to employ a person to act as a dog warden
28   or may suspend or revoke the employment of a person who is
29   acting as a dog warden if the department determines that the
30   person has:

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 1          (1)     Failed to satisfy the training requirements of
 2      subsection (b.1) or (b.2).
 3          (2)     Had a criminal history record which would disqualify
 4      the applicant from becoming a law enforcement officer.
 5          (3)     Been convicted of violating 18 Pa.C.S. § 5301
 6      (relating to official oppression).
 7      (b.5)   Additional grounds.--The department may refuse to
 8   employ a person to act as a dog warden or other employee charged
 9   with the enforcement of this act or may suspend or revoke the
10   employment of a person who is acting as a dog warden or is
11   charged with the enforcement of this act if the department
12   determines that the person has:
13          (1)     Made a false or misleading statement in the
14      application for employment.
15          (2)     Carried or possessed a firearm or stun gun in the
16      performance of his or her duties without permission and
17      certification pursuant to subsection (b.2).
18          (3)     Engaged in conduct which constitutes a prima facie
19      violation of 18 Pa.C.S. § 5301 or Ch. 55 (relating to riot,
20      disorderly conduct and related offenses).
21          (4)     Knowingly failed to enforce any of the provisions of
22      this act.
23          (5)     Violated any of the provisions of this act.
24      * * *
25      Section 3.    This act shall take effect in 60 days.




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