HARRISBURG -- The state Senate today passed legislation intended to crack down on people who tether dogs and leave them unattended.

The bill, which heads to the House, says a person may not leave a tethered dog out when the temperature is below freezing or above 90 degrees. It says the dog must have access to food, water and shelter, unless it is being directly supervised.

The bill also sets requirements for the size of outdoor shelters in which dogs may be kept.

The Senate approved the legislation 45-4.

In a memo seeking co-sponsors for his bill, Sen. Rich Alloway, R-Franklin, wrote that tethering dogs is cruel and inhumane.

"Dogs are highly social pack animals who thrive on human and animal interaction and companionship," he wrote. "To a dog, being constantly tethered is like solitary confinement is to a human being.

"An otherwise friendly dog when kept tethered becomes unhappy, anxious and often aggressive and develops neurotic behaviors such as incessant barking, digging and chewing."

The Senate also passed a bill establishing fines for the injuring or killing of a pet as part of domestic violence and a bill to prevent the immediate family members of someone whose kennel license has been revoked from themselves obtaining a kennel license for the same location.

Karen Langley: klangley@post-gazette.com or 717-787-2141 or on Twitter @karen_langley

First Published: June 3, 2015, 8:59 p.m.