Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania Senate passes bill to protect pets of domestic violence survivors
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — Pennsylvania lawmakers are taking new steps to protect the pets of domestic violence survivors.
Right now, Pennsylvania is one of only a few states that doesn’t allow animals to be included in protection from abuse orders, but a bill to change that passed the state Senate on Wednesday.
Advocates told KDKA-TV that this legislation could help human and animal victims of domestic violence break free from dangerous situations.
Leaving an abusive relationship is difficult for a lot of reasons. For many victims, it’s fear of their pets’ safety.
“There’s a lot of statistics out there. One of them that really has resonated with me is that 71% of battered women have reported that their abusers had either harmed, killed or threatened their animals as a way to control them,” said Natalie Ahwesh, executive director of Humane Action Pittsburgh.
HB 1210 explicitly allows animals to be included in protection from abuse orders. The bill passed the state Senate by a vote of 47 to 1. It now heads to Governor Josh Shapiro’s desk for a signature. The bill previously passed the state House in 2023.
If the governor signs the bill into law, it will help ensure domestic violence survivors can escape their abusers with their four-legged best friend by their side and have the power to keep their pets safe as they seek protection.
“While this is a bill that’s going to make such a huge difference for animals, it’s really also going to make a huge difference for people out there that are experiencing violence. They are not going to have to choose between leaving their pets behind or finding safety for themselves and their companions,” Ahwesh said.
Republican Rep. Natalie Mihalek and Democrat Rep. Christina Sappey co-sponsored the bill. Humane Action Pittsburgh has pushed for this change for more than three years.
Ahwesh said it has had a lot of support from animal advocates, domestic violence organizations and law enforcement.
“We built a really broad coalition that not only included animal welfare organizations but domestic violence organizations like the National Link Coalition, and law enforcement agencies really stepped up to support us. We had the Pennsylvania Sheriff’s Association fighting hard for this bill, the Pennsylvania District Attorneys Association and the attorney general’s office,” she said.
The bill amends the state’s domestic relations act and allows a judge to give the person seeking protection temporary ownership rights of family pets and to order the defendant to refrain from abusing the victim’s pets.
The hope is that this change empowers survivors to leave because they can protect their pets who are considered family.
Ahwesh said this is only the beginning and more work needs to be done.
“There is definitely a lack of resources in the commonwealth of places that are able to accommodate people that are seeking shelter along with their pets. We have a lot of really great resources in the Pittsburgh area, either human shelters that will help accommodate people with their pets or foster programs where they can bring their pets to also seek safety. But it’s definitely overall something that we need more help with and more funding for in Pennsylvania,” she said.
Ahwesh expects the governor to sign the bill into law.
“We’re going to be working to make sure that judges and people experiencing violence and social workers and such all are aware that this law is now in effect so that we can start utilizing it and helping people and animals that are experiencing violence,” said Ahwesh.
WILKES-BARRE — When people think about transportation in Northeastern Pennsylvania, their first thoughts are likely cars and buses.
While those are the most common modes of transportation in the region, an important question is gaining attention among planners, community leaders, and residents alike:
How easy is it to get around NEPA on foot?
A recent report by The Institute examined accessibility and walkability across the region. The findings reveal a region with some highly walkable downtowns and neighborhoods, but also many communities where residents remain heavily dependent on vehicles.
“Walkability refers to how easily people can reach everyday destinations such as stores, restaurants, schools, parks, and health care facilities by walking,” said Jill Avery-Stoss, President and CEO of The Institute, “Factors that influence walkability include street connectivity, proximity to destinations, access to transit, and the strength of the infrastructure network. Walkability supports the resilience, environment, health, and economy of communities.”
Using the Environmental Protection Agency’s National Walkability Index, The Institute confirmed that some of the region’s traditional downtown communities scored the highest.
• In Lackawanna County, communities including Scranton, Carbondale, Old Forge, Jessup, Blakely, Clarks Summit, and Moosic ranked among the county’s most walkable areas.
• In Luzerne County, strong scores were recorded in Wilkes-Barre, Pittston, Hazleton, Kingston, Forty Fort, Plymouth, Dallas, and Freeland.
• In Wayne County, the boroughs of Honesdale and Hawley emerged as the most walkable locations.
The broader regional picture, however, highlights a continuing dependence on automobiles.
“Most municipalities in Northeast Pennsylvania are categorized as car-dependent, particularly in more rural areas where destinations are spread farther apart, and transportation options are limited,” notes Avery-Stoss.
Data from America Walks, which combines EPA and Census Bureau information to evaluate walkable land use, shows that a majority of residents in all three counties live in areas rated as below-average for walkability.
Approximately 66.4% of Lackawanna County residents, 59.5% of Luzerne County residents, and 53.1% of Wayne County residents live in neighborhoods classified as below-average walkable.
Despite these challenges, Avery-Stoss said there are opportunities for improvement.
She said Northeastern Pennsylvania already benefits from an extensive network of trails and greenways, including the Lackawanna River Heritage Trail, the Luzerne County Levee Trail, and other rail-trail systems that support walking, biking, and recreation. Avery-Stoss said investments in sidewalks, pedestrian crossings, trail connections, traffic-calming measures, and transit-oriented development could further improve mobility and quality of life throughout the region.
“While walkability varies significantly from one community to another, many of the region’s most vibrant downtown areas demonstrate what is possible when homes, businesses, parks, and services are located within easy walking distance,” Avery-Stoss said. “As communities continue to invest in transportation and redevelopment projects, walkability is becoming an increasingly important part of how Northeastern Pennsylvania grows and connects its residents to their larger community.”
Reach Bill O’Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.
Pennsylvania was recognized as one of the top state pavilions at America’s 250th birthday celebration, receiving one of the event’s “Best in Show” honors during the closing ceremony at the Great American State Fair on the National Mall.
The recognition comes just weeks after Senators Dave McCormick (R-PA) and John Fetterman (D-PA) partnered with U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins and a coalition of 55 Pennsylvania organizations, businesses, and industry partners to ensure the Commonwealth had a pavilion at the Great American State Fair. The bipartisan effort was made possible entirely through private partnerships without the use of a single taxpayer dollar.
Joining Senators McCormick and Fetterman in this effort were the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry, PennAg Industries Association, and the Pennsylvania Manufacturers’ Association (PMA), alongside more than 50 additional Pennsylvania organizations, businesses, and industry partners whose support helped bring the Commonwealth’s exhibit to life.
“Pennsylvania’s story is America’s story, and this recognition is a tribute to everyone who helped bring that story to life,” said Senator McCormick. “From Independence Hall and Valley Forge to our farms, factories, and innovators, the Commonwealth has shaped our nation for 250 years. I’m grateful to Senator Fetterman, Secretary Rollins, and our outstanding Pennsylvania partners for ensuring Pennsylvania had a presence worthy of our history.”
“I’m incredibly proud of all the Pennsylvanians that showed up to make sure our Commonwealth had the spotlight it deserved right there on the National Mall during America’s 250th birthday. It earned this recognition,” said Senator Fetterman. “What makes Pennsylvania truly awesome are the men, women, and children who call it home. Our farmers, steelworkers, small business owners, and so many more. Those who visited the pavilion got to see a glimpse of some of the very best of us and our history, and I’m grateful to Senator McCormick, Secretary Rollins, and all who made this a massive success.”
The Pennsylvania pavilion highlights the Commonwealth’s central role in America’s story — from the signing of the Declaration of Independence and the sacrifices at Valley Forge to Gettysburg, the Arsenal of Democracy, and the Commonwealth’s continued leadership in agriculture, manufacturing, energy, innovation, and small business. Visitors also explored exhibits featuring many of Pennsylvania’s iconic companies and products, spotlighting the industries and communities driving the Commonwealth’s economy today.
During the closing ceremony, Freedom 250 recognized several outstanding state pavilions from across the country. Pennsylvania received one of the event’s “Best in Show” honors, recognizing the Commonwealth’s exhibit as one of the premier state pavilions at the Great American State Fair.
Representatives from Senator McCormick’s office accepted the Best in Show award during a recognition ceremony on the Freedom Stage Friday afternoon at the Great American State Fair.
MIFFLIN COUNTY, Pa. (WHP) — Thousands of people gathered to watch one of the world’s largest operating steam locomotive make several stops in Pennsylvania.
Union Pacific’s “Big Boy” No. 4014 made stops in Lebanon, Lewistown, Pittston, Rockville, among other locations.
CBS 21 Meteorologist and Chief Drone Pilot Ed Russo captured video during its stops in central Pennsylvania.
MORE | Big Boy steam locomotive draws massive crowd in Lebanon
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