03/15/2026
Pennsylvania’s Dog Laws:
- If your dog is not licensed, you may be fined up to $500 per dog. Find where to purchase yours online at LicenseYourDogPa.pa.gov
- Your dog must be under control and supervised at all times; fines range from $500-$1000 per dog. You are responsible for any damage caused by your dog on someone else’s property.
- It is illegal to mistreat or abuse animals. Report suspected abuse to your local humane organization or police.
- Purposely poisoning a dog, whether it is yours or someone else’s, is illegal.
- You may not abandon or attempt to abandon any dog. You could be fined $1,000 plus court costs.
- Puppies under eight weeks old cannot be bartered, traded, sold, or transferred.
- You must have a kennel license if you keep, sell, transfer, adopt or foster at least 26 dogs in a calendar year.
- If your dog attacks or kills a human or domestic animal without provocation, it may be considered dangerous. You may face extensive fines and restrictions.
Pennsylvania’s Rabies Law:
Ignoring Pennsylvania’s rabies vaccination law can be costly – in more ways than one. Dogs and cats are exposed to the rabies virus through wild and stray animals, posing a threat to their health and yours.
- Dogs and cats three months or older must have a current rabies vaccination
- Owners of non-vaccinated pets may be fined up to $300 plus court costs
- Licensed veterinarians can vaccinate dogs and provide a vaccination certificate
- Dog wardens perform random checks to ensure rabies vaccinations are current
License Your Dog. It’s the Law:
- All dogs three months or older or upon transfer must be licensed by Jan. 1 of each year
- Owners of non-licensed dogs can be cited with a maximum fine of $500 per dog plus court costs
- Dog wardens randomly canvass neighborhoods to ensure all dogs are licensed; violators may be fined
- If your dog gets lost, a current license is the fastest way to get your dog back home
- Licensing fees help the millions of dogs in Pennsylvania by funding the Bureau of Dog Law Enforcement
- Purchase a license from your local county treasurer or issuing agent
- An annual license is $10.80, and a lifetime license is $52.80, discounts are available to older adults and people with disabilities
Find out how to purchase your 2026 dog license visit: www.LicenseYourDogPa.pa.gov
click on your county
According to PA laws, every pet owner must license their dog—you can purchase an annual license by submitting a completed application to your local county treasurer or issuing agent. If you don’t license your dog, you could be cited with a $500 fine, per violation, plus court costs.
