On the day that Michael Vick -- who served time for dogfighting -- makes his Philadelphia Eagles debut a new bill protecting the rights of dogs was signed into law in the Keystone State.
Pennsylvania has a new law that limits the types of surgical procedures that can be performed on dogs and imposes tougher penalties on people who steal dogs for fighting.
Gov. Ed Rendell signed a bill Thursday that established penalties for pooch owners and breeders who crop ears, cut vocal cords or perform surgical births. It also generally bans docking tails or removing dewclaws from pups more than five days old.
Owners need to maintain records that show licensed veterinarians performed such procedures.
Rendell would no longer comment about the Eagles' signing of convicted dogfighting ring leader Vick, he said. Previously the Gov. said the quarterback seemed to be "genuinely remorseful."
