Delaware County is among the top 10 counties with the highest number of animal abuse cases, according to a new report by www.pacourts.us.

The data is compiled from the cases that were filed since Libre’s Law went into effect on August 28, 2017. The law inspired by a Boston Terrier puppy found badly neglected and abused in Lancaster County strengthened animal protection in Pennsylvania and increased penalties for animal abuse. This includes the ability to charge aggravated animal cruelty as a felony.

Since the implementation of the law, 25,228 animal abuse offenses have been filed. Out of that, 54 percent, or 11,520 offenses, were filed for neglect of an animal, while 39 percent, or 9,771 offenses, were filed for cruelty to an animal. The remaining 1,937 offenses, of 7 percent, were filed for aggravated cruelty to an animal.

Delaware County was third in this period along with Montgomery and six more counties with three percent each of all reported cases.

Statewide, the highest number of animal abuse offenses was filed in 2018 – 11,851. That number dropped to 8,478 in 2019 and 3,934 in 2020.

The majority of defendants are male and in the 46 to 65 age bracket.

Find out more at www.pacourts.us.