Pennsylvania dog laws: leash, licensing, bites and breed rules

This is a general summary of Pennsylvania state law about dogs. It is information, not legal advice. Reviewed November 2026.

Leashes and licensing

Pennsylvania's Dog Law sets one statewide confinement rule. An owner or keeper must keep a dog at all times confined within the owner's premises, firmly secured by a collar and chain or other device so it cannot stray beyond the premises, or under the reasonable control of some person. Lawful hunting, exhibition, performance events and field training are also covered.

Every dog three months old or older must be licensed with the county treasurer (or an agent) by January 1 each year, or when it changes owners. The standard annual fee is $7, with a lifetime licence available for a permanently identified dog.

Rabies vaccination

A person who owns or keeps a dog or cat must have it vaccinated against rabies within four weeks after the animal turns 12 weeks old. A booster follows between 12 and 14 months after the first shot unless the vaccine label says otherwise, and revaccination continues under the manufacturer's directions. Owners must show proof of vaccination, or an exemption, within 48 hours of a request by an officer or dog warden.

Any dog that bites or attacks a person must be confined right away and isolated for at least ten days, at the owner's expense, so it can be watched for signs of rabies.

Dangerous dogs and bites

A state dog warden or police officer can file a complaint before a magisterial district judge charging an owner with harboring a dangerous dog. The judge may convict if the dog severely injured a person without provocation, attacked a person without provocation, killed or severely injured another domestic animal off the owner's property, was used in a crime, or has a history of unprovoked attacks. A conviction makes the dog legally dangerous.

The owner must then register the dog (a $1,000 yearly fee), keep it in a proper enclosure with warning signs, microchip and neuter it, carry at least $50,000 in a surety bond or liability policy, and keep it muzzled and on a substantial leash with a responsible person when outside. An attack by a dangerous dog can lead to a destruction order, and an aggressive attack that causes severe injury or death to a person is a first-degree misdemeanor for the owner. The Dog Law also requires the owner to pay a bite victim's medical costs. The dangerous-dog rules do not apply when the victim was trespassing, tormenting the dog or committing a crime.

Breed-specific rules

State law cancels local dangerous-dog ordinances and says a local dog ordinance may not prohibit or otherwise limit a specific breed. Liability policies and bonds under the act cannot exclude a breed.

Tethering and hot cars

Pennsylvania does not flatly ban tethering. Instead, a dog tethered outdoors and unattended for under nine hours is presumed not neglected if the tether is long, swivelled, the dog has water and shade, and it was not out more than 30 minutes above 90 or below 32 degrees. Signs such as sores, filth, or a tow or log chain or a choke, pinch, prong or chain collar create a presumption of neglect.

Officers, animal control and humane society police, and emergency responders are not liable for damage to the vehicle when they enter it to remove a dog or cat in imminent danger. The separate protection for private citizens covers removing people, not pets. Intentionally torturing an animal is aggravated cruelty, a third-degree felony.

Where to check your local rule

Cities, boroughs and townships often add leash, licence and number-of-dogs rules. Check your municipality's animal control website or ordinance code. If your dog has bitten someone or been reported, talk to a lawyer or the animal-control office.