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DILLSBURG, Pa. (WHTM) - We've been following the story of Libre, the 4-month-old Boston terrier found emaciated and with severe mange on a Lancaster County farm in July.

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Libre can now walk around the Dillsburg Veterinary Center where he's being cared for. He couldn't even lift his head when produce driver Dextin Orme found him on a Quarryville farm. He gave the sick puppy to a former humane officer who rushed him to an emergency vet in Lancaster. Janine Guido, of Speranza Animal Rescue, took over his care from there. His story is attracting attention from around the world.

Libre's breeder is not facing any charges. The Lancaster County SPCA ruled there was not probable cause to prove Libre was intentionally neglected. The Lancaster County District Attorney's Office and Pennsylvania State Police are currently investigating.

The breeder also surrendered Carla, Libre's mother, to the SPCA. She also had mange, but not as bad as her son. Carla is being fostered by Amanda Perry, the daughter of Lancaster County SPCA Executive Director Susan Martin. Even severe animal cruelty is not a felony in Pennsylvania. A Midstate senator is hoping to change that.

Copyright by WHTM - All rights reserved Libre in early July.

Copyright by WHTM - All rights reserved Libre in early July.

"High-profile cases like Libre's allow us an opportunity to really take a negative situation and turn that into a positive one. We reached out to Senator Alloway to see if he'd be interested in introducing legislation now that will be known as Libre's Law," said Kristen Tullo, Pennsylvania director of the Humane Society of the United States.

"We're one of three states in the whole nation that doesn't classify animal neglect, extreme neglect and abuse, as a felony," Sen. Richard Alloway (R-Franklin/Adams/Cumberland/York) said.

Alloway is drafting Libre's Law now, and it would change that. It would also clear up the definition of neglect.

The senator has two other animal cruelty bills.

"Dogs are family," Alloway said. "Would you chain grandma outside?"

Senate Bill 373 would prohibit tethering a dog outside 24/7 or in extreme weather. It passed with a 45-to-four vote last year and has been in committee for more than a year.

Senator Gene Yaw (R-Williamsport) voted against it. His office sent ABC27 News the following statement:

"While Sen. Yaw supported Senate Bill 373 in the Senate Judiciary Committee, he ultimately voted "no" on final passage after speaking with individuals that reside in his Senate District who train dogs for dog sledding. These dogs are specifically bred for performance, custom-made for the rigors of racing and hauling. SB 373 would have, in essence, prevented them from operating their business altogether. We are working with our state representatives to ensure that this issue is addressed before final passage in the House of Representatives."

Even so, Senator Alloway is confident the bill will pass.

Senate Bill 78 denies kennel licenses to the immediate family of those who've had theirs revoked. That passed unanimously in the Pennsylvania Senate.

Alloway hopes his animal-welfare bills sent a strong message to the state.

"The message is that in today's civilized society, there's no tolerance, and there's no room for this kind of neglect and abuse," Alloway said.

Libre is known as the bug-eyed miracle. His adoptive mother Guido is hoping for more miracles in the state.

"Libre's Law, setting harsher punishments for other Libre's out there, that's really, really cool. Fingers crossed and paws crossed that it passes," Guido said.

"Although this is a happy ending, there are thousand of other Libres out there that don't have this happy of an ending, and that's the purpose behind this law," Alloway said.

Alloway hopes to introduce Libre's Law in early September. It would need to pass in both chambers by the end of November.