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More than 50K animal abuse offenses in Pennsylvania since Libre’s Law enacted

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More than 50K animal abuse offenses in Pennsylvania since Libre’s Law enacted


ALTOONA, Pa. (WTAJ) — More than 50,000 animal abuse offenses have been filed in Pennsylvania since the inception of Libre’s Law in 2017.

Libre’s Law, also called “Animal Cruelty Act 10,” was enacted in Aug. 2017. That year, the Commonwealth saw 965 offenses filed, court data shows. That number peaked at nearly 12,000 in 2018. It dropped to under 4,000 in 2020 but has stayed above 8,000 since — a total of 52,789. It’s important to note that 2017 data does not include any offenses before the law was enacted.

Age and gender:

Males make up a vast majority of offenders (52 percent). The age of the biggest culprits is 46-65, by very slim margins — 25 percent. Ages 26-35 make up 24 percent of offenders. People under 18 make up the smallest amount at only 2 percent.

Offense types:

Of the 52,789 offenses, 61 percent (32,233) were for neglect while 29 percent (15,500) were cruelty and aggravated cruelty made up 10 percent (5,056), the data reveals.

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Counties:

There are 10 counties that make up nearly half of the animal abuse cases (48 percent), most under five percent. The most alarming number comes from Allegheny County with 15 percent.

Bucks County makes up five percent while Beaver, Lackawana, Lancaster and Washington make up four percent each. Fayette, Dauphin, Westmoreland and Philadelphia counties each make up three percent.

What is Libre’s Law?

Libre’s Law is an anti-cruelty law that helps strengthen our furry friends’ protection. It also increased penalties for animal abuse in Pennsylvania, including making aggravated assault of an animal a felony in the state.

The law was inspired by a Boston Terrier puppy who was found badly neglected in Lancaster County. The law went into effect on Aug. 28, 2017.

Libre’s Law also specifies leaving a pet outdoors in extreme temperatures. Under the law, a dog can not be left outside for more than 30 minutes if the temperature is over 90 degrees or below freezing — 32 degrees.

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To learn more about Libre’s Law, you can visit Humane-PA.org by clicking here.



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Police hunt for masked suspects who looted a Pennsylvania Lululemon overnight

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Police hunt for masked suspects who looted a Pennsylvania Lululemon overnight


Pennsylvania police are searching for at least two masked suspects believed to have looted a Lululemon store overnight.

At least two masked men broke into a Lululemon in Ardmore, Pennsylvania, around 2 a.m. Tuesday, police told NBC 10 Philadelphia. Ardmore, a suburb of Philadelphia, is home to about 14,000 people.

The suspected thieves used a sledgehammer to break the glass on the store’s front door, according to police.

Once they gained access, the masked individuals grabbed handfuls of merchandise, security footage shows. The men went in and out of the store several times, grabbing handfuls of items that included coats, vests and shirts from the men’s section, police told local outlet WPVI.

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Surveillance footage shows at least two masked men breaking into a Pennsylvania Lululemon, police say

Surveillance footage shows at least two masked men breaking into a Pennsylvania Lululemon, police say (ABC 6/Lower Merion Police Department)

“This is taking it to another level,” Lower Merion Police Superintendent Andy Block told WPVI.

The suspects then loaded the merchandise into a U-Haul truck. Their truck was last seen at the intersection of Bryn Mawr Avenue and Woodbine Avenue, just a few miles from the store, police said.

The entire incident lasted about five minutes, which Block said is longer than usual for this type of burglary.

“Usually, it is because in a smash-and-grab situation they want to get in and get out before they’re identified or anybody’s notified on it,” Block told CBS Philadelphia.

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Block told WPVI the store is a popular target for robbers, given that many of its items cost more than $100. Now, he expects the alleged thieves have sold or exchanged the items.

“They’re using it on the market, maybe they’re exchanging it for drugs, or they’re selling it on the black market. It’s a highly sought-after item,” he told WPVI.

Thieves took off with handfuls of merchandise from a Pennsylvania Lululemon, according to police

Thieves took off with handfuls of merchandise from a Pennsylvania Lululemon, according to police (AFP via Getty Images)

Even though police say Lululemon is a popular target, Lt. Michael Keenan of the Lower Merion Police Department still called the incident “out of character.”

“This is an out of character, out of type incident where we don’t normally see people smashing windows in the middle of the night. But, certainly this is something that is distinct,” Keenan told NBC 10 Philadelphia.

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The store still opened Tuesday, with a banner covering the smashed glass on the door, according to Fox 29. Gina Picciano, a general manager at a restaurant across the street, said it was a frightening incident.

“I walked out here with my bartender and we looked, and it’s scary that it’s happening right across the way from us,” Picciano told Fox 29.

The same store was previously robbed in May 2024. Thieves stole more than $10,000 worth of merchandise during that incident, NBC 10 Philadelphia reports.

The Independent has contacted the Lower Merion Police Department and Lululemon for comment.



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Pennsylvania Gov. Shapiro has $30 million for his reelection bid, a new state record

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Pennsylvania Gov. Shapiro has  million for his reelection bid, a new state record


Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro set another campaign finance record for Pennsylvania with $30 million on hand as he seeks a second term this fall, his campaign said Tuesday. Pennsylvania has emerged as the nation’s premier presidential battleground state, and Shapiro’s strong showing in the 2022 governor’s race elevated his profile within the Democratic Party, where he’s viewed as a potential 2028 White House contender. In the general election, Shapiro, 52, is expected to face Stacy Garrity, the twice-elected state treasurer who has been endorsed by the state Republican Party.



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3 winning scratch-off lotto tickets totaling $7.5M sold in Pennsylvania

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3 winning scratch-off lotto tickets totaling .5M sold in Pennsylvania


RADNOR TWP., Pa. (WPVI) — Three winning scratch-off tickets totaling $7.5 million were sold in Pennsylvania, lottery officials announced on Monday.

One winning “MONOPOLY Own It All” ticket worth $5 million was sold in Delaware County at the GIANT on the 500 block of East Lancaster Avenue. The grocery store will receive a $10,000 bonus for selling the winning ticket.

“MONOPOLY Own It All” is a $50 game that offers top prizes of $5 million.

In Erie County, a $1.5 million-winning “Cash Spectacular” scratch-off was purchased at a Sheetz on Perry Highway. “Cash Spectacular” is a $30 game that offers top prizes of $1.5 million.

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And in Luzerne County, a $1 million-winning “Millionaire Loading” scratch-off was sold at Schiel’s Family Market in Wilkes-Barre. “Millionaire Loading” is a $20 game that offers top prizes of $1 million.

Scratch-off prizes expire one year from the game’s end-sale date posted at palottery.com.

Winners should immediately sign the back of their ticket and call the Pennsylvania Lottery at 1-800-692-7481.

Copyright © 2026 WPVI-TV. All Rights Reserved.



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