Memorial to Sallie at Gettysburg & Rocky: a search and rescue dog for the Pennsylvania Task Force 1
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Pennsylvania history is rich in stories of the extraordinary relationship between dogs and humans. Pennsylvania is the home to two of the most famous Civil War dog heroes, Sallie and Jack. The respect and admiration that the veterans of the 11th Pennsylvania Infantry had for their mascot Sallie is visible today in the bronze replica of her that they placed in front of the regimental monument at the Gettysburg National Military Park.
Pennsylvania recognizes the value of dogs. In 1965, the legislature designated the Great Dane as the official state dog, a gesture by the “Commonwealth to recognize the steadfast service and loyal devotion of all dogs in Pennsylvania.”
While many dogs are cherished and honored in Pennsylvania, sadly, abuse towards man’s best friend is still a too frequent occurrence. In 2008, the Pennsylvania Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (PSPCA) had to triple the number of their field agents, in order to combat a disturbing increase in the number of cruelty cases in Philadelphia.
The PSPCA noted that not only was there an increase in the number of cruelty cases, but that there was a troubling increase in the severity of the abuse, with some cases being described as “horrific.”
Despite a significant increase in both the human and canine population, and despite an increase in cruelty cases in Philadelphia, the number of reported dog bites in the city is at a historic low.
Dogs in Pennsylvania continue to prove themselves man’s best friend. While anti-cruelty laws, leash laws, awareness of the need for humane care and control, and dog bite prevention education, have afforded humans an increased level of safety, the tolerant and sociable nature of all dogs (cherished or abused) is ultimately the reason why dogs are so valued by most people in Pennsylvania, both in the past and in the present.
National Canine Research Council