HARRISBURG, PA - Pennsylvania may not have passed their budget yet this year, but the governor did take steps to strengthen the state's dog laws.

Gov. Ed Rendell (D-PA) signed legislation making it illegal for anyone but a licensed veterinarian to perform certain medical procedures -- like cropping a dogs ears or docking their tail.

House Bill 39 also makes it a third degree felony to steal an animal for the purpose of using it in dog fights.

"Until now these cruel practices could be carried out by dog owners without proper training and without the supervision of a licensed vet causing long term injury, pain, suffering and in some cases even death," said Gov. Rendell.   

Legislators and animal advocates were not the only ones at today's bill signing.

Several dogs were their to witness the bill being signed into law including one of Governor Rendell's two personal pooches.