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§ 5549. Assault with a biological agent on animal, fowl or honey bees

Purdon's Pennsylvania Statutes and Consolidated StatutesTitle 18 Pa.C.S.A. Crimes and OffensesEffective: August 28, 2017

Purdon's Pennsylvania Statutes and Consolidated Statutes
Title 18 Pa.C.S.A. Crimes and Offenses (Refs & Annos)
Part II. Definition of Specific Offenses (Refs & Annos)
Article F. Offenses Against Public Order and Decency
Chapter 55. Riot, Disorderly Conduct and Related Offenses (Refs & Annos)
Subchapter B. Cruelty to Animals (Refs & Annos)
Effective: August 28, 2017
18 Pa.C.S.A. § 5549
Formerly cited as PA ST 18 Pa.C.S.A. § 5511.3
§ 5549. Assault with a biological agent on animal, fowl or honey bees
Currentness
(a) Offense defined.--A person commits a felony of the second degree if the person intentionally, knowingly or maliciously exposes or causes to be exposed an animal, fowl or honey bees to a virus, bacteria, prion or other agent which causes infectious disease, including any of the following:
(1) Foot-and-mouth disease.
(2) Bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), commonly known as mad cow disease.
(3) Avian influenza.
(4) Varroa mite.
(b) Restitution.--The person convicted of violating this section shall, in addition to any other sentence imposed, be sentenced to pay the owner of the afflicted animal, fowl or honey bees restitution in an amount equal to the cost of the financial damages incurred as a result of the offense, including the following:
(1) Value of afflicted animal, fowl or honey bees.
(2) Disposal of afflicted animal, fowl or honey bees.
(3) Testing for disease on existing animal.
(4) Cleanup and sanitization of property and buildings on and in which afflicted animals, fowl or honey bees were located.
(5) Liability insurance for cleanup and sanitization workers.
(6) Soil testing of property.
(7) Loss of revenue for the aggrieved owner of afflicted animal, fowl or honey bees.
(c) Exceptions.--The provisions of this section shall not apply to research or veterinarian services, including immunizations, vaccinations or other treatments administered during the normal scope of practice.

Credits

2017, June 28, P.L. 215, No. 10, § 4, effective in 60 days [Aug. 28, 2017].
18 Pa.C.S.A. § 5549, PA ST 18 Pa.C.S.A. § 5549
Current through Act 10 of the 2024 Regular Session. Some statute sections may be more current, see credits for details.
End of Document