Pennsylvania’s criminal trespass law prohibits individuals from unlawfully entering buildings and other occupied structures but does not specifically address unauthorized entry into zoo animal enclosures. In recent years, several states have introduced legislation to explicitly prohibit zoo trespassing in response to a rise in incidents, fueled by social media, that have endangered both animals and the public. Unfortunately, at least once such incident occurred in our Commonwealth just last year when a social media influencer entered an elephant enclosure.[1]
 
As the founder and co-chair of our General Assembly’s Animal Protection Caucus, I am concerned about the risks and harm to animals and zoo property created by this reckless behavior. To provide additional deterrents, I plan to introduce legislation creating the offense of unlawfully entering a zoo animal enclosure. The legislation would also require courts to order restitution for costs incurred by the facility, including animal recovery, veterinary care, emergency response, enclosure repairs, and operational disruptions.
 
This legislation will strengthen protection of both our animal friends and the public by deterring dangerous conduct and ensuring that individuals who unlawfully enter zoo enclosures are held accountable for the harm and expenses they cause.
 
Please join me in co-sponsoring this important legislation to protect animals, improve public safety, and support Pennsylvania’s zoological institutions.

[1] Social media influencer charged after jumping into Pittsburgh zoo enclosure