Legislation inspired by a high-profile Erie animal cruelty case has cleared a key step in the Pennsylvania General Assembly.
The Sen. Dan Laughlin (R-49) announced Monday that Senate Bill 1311, known as Aimee’s Law, advanced out of the Senate Judiciary Committee and will now move to the full Senate for consideration. The measure would create a statewide animal abuser registry maintained by the Pennsylvania State Police.
The bill is named after Aimee, a six-month-old husky who was discovered abandoned inside a crate beneath a bridge in Erie during frigid winter weather. According to Laughlin’s office, the dog was severely underweight, covered in filth, and suffering from frostbite on all four paws when rescuers found her. She was named by the ANNA Shelter after the police dispatcher who handled the original call, but despite rescue efforts, Aimee did not survive.
“Aimee’s story shook our community, and people have not forgotten her,” Laughlin said in a statement, noting that constituents have continued to contact his office seeking updates on the legislation.
Under the proposal, individuals convicted of specified animal abuse offenses would be listed in a publicly accessible registry that includes photographs and identifying information. First-time offenders would generally remain on the registry for two years, while those convicted of subsequent offenses would remain listed for five years.
Laughlin said the legislation is designed to increase accountability and provide the public with information about serious animal cruelty convictions. He also thanked members of the Judiciary Committee for supporting the bill and said he will continue working to bring it before the full Senate for a vote.
“Aimee cannot be saved, but we can honor her by doing everything we can to prevent another animal from suffering the way she did,” Laughlin said.