How HB 2857 changes current law

Compared against the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes as published AI-generated reading aid — verify against the official bill.

The bill adds a new offense of unlawful entry into animal enclosures to Pennsylvania's Crimes and Offenses statute.

• 18 Pa.C.S. § 3503.1

  § 3503.1. Unlawful entry into animal enclosure. (a) Offense defined.--A person commits the offense of unlawful entry into an animal enclosure if, knowing that the person is not licensed or privileged to do so, the person: (1) enters a locked or restricted area in an animal enclosure; or (2) climbs over, under, through or otherwise bypasses a fence, wall, moat, gate or other protective structure designed to separate the public from an animal enclosure. (b) Grading.-- (1) Except as provided under paragraphs (2) and (3), a violation of this section constitutes a misdemeanor of the third degree. (2) If the violation causes the evacuation of visitors or emergency response by law enforcement, fire, emergency medical services, animal control personnel or staff, the offense constitutes a misdemeanor of the second degree. (3) If the violation results in injury, death or substantial risk of injury or death to an animal, employee, emergency responder or member of the public, the offense constitutes a felony of the third degree. (c) Restitution.--In addition to any other penalty imposed by law, the court shall order restitution for costs incurred by the facility, including animal recovery, veterinary treatment, emergency response, enclosure repair and operational disruptions. (d) Construction.--Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit prosecution under any other provision of law, including criminal trespass, criminal mischief, recklessly endangering another person, cruelty to animals or related offenses. (e) Exceptions.--Subsection (a) does not apply to: (1) employees, contractors, veterinarians or volunteers acting within the scope of authorized duties; (2) law enforcement officers, emergency responders or animal control personnel acting within the scope of official duties; or (3) individuals entering an animal enclosure during a bona fide emergency to prevent imminent death or serious bodily injury. (f) Definitions.--As used in this section, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings given to them in this subsection unless the context clearly indicates otherwise: "Animal enclosure." An enclosure maintained by a zoological park, aquarium, menagerie or person with a propagating permit under 34 Pa.C.S. § 2930 (relating to propagating permits). "Menagerie." As defined in 34 Pa.C.S. § 2961 (relating to definitions).

  This addition defines unlawful entry into animal enclosures and establishes penalties for violations.