PA Dog Law Bills Being Delayed in House of Representatives

Dozens of last-minute amendments to H.B. 2525 have slowed its passage and threatened its ability to be adopted during the current legislative session.

Introduced in May, H.B. 2525 would strengthen current dog laws and provide better standards for the health and safety of dogs in commercial breeding kennels without affecting other types of kennels that house dogs.

"Every day that goes by without action on H.B. 2525 only prolongs the suffering of dogs kept in commercial breeding kennel cages their entire lives," said Smith. "The Department of Agriculture has worked hard with many groups to address their concerns and, as it stands, H.B. 2525 will significantly improve the conditions in Pennsylvania's commercial breeding kennels without overly burdening the businesses that run them."

"We have an opportunity to truly improve commercial breeding kennels, and I ask the legislature not to let the opportunity pass."

Smith said that through earlier amendments to the original legislation, many of the major concerns of the groups who opposed the bill have been addressed, and should have cleared the way for passage in the House.

Among other protections for dogs, H.B. 2525 doubles the minimum floor space for dogs and requires solid flooring, as well as access to an outdoor exercise area twice the size of the dog's primary enclosure. Current law does not require dogs ever be taken out of cages, much less given access to exercise areas.

The legislation would also mandate annual veterinary care, and eliminate the stacking of cages for adult dogs. Current law does not require that dogs ever receive routine veterinary check-ups and Smith said that as a result, many go without. H.B. 2525 will require veterinary examinations for each dog at least once per year or during each pregnancy.

Current law treats all kennels the same, regardless of size or function. The proposed legislation would allow the health and welfare needs of the dogs housed in large commercial breeding kennels to be addressed.

Requirements are virtually unchanged for other types of kennels, like sporting and hobby dog kennels, because they do not operate with the purpose of breeding large quantities of dogs to sell for profit. Instead, they operate for the purpose of sporting, hobby, boarding or finding homes for dogs.

The proposed legislation is a result of Governor Edward G. Rendell's effort to improve living conditions for dogs inPennsylvania kennels.

Since 2006, Governor Rendell has made improvements to the staffing and enforcement efforts of the Bureau of Dog Law Enforcement, which oversees the inspection and licensing of kennels.

For more information on the proposed legislation overhauling Pennsylvania's Dog Law, visit www.DogLawAction.com

CONTACT: Chris L. Ryder

(717) 787-5085

SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture

Copyright © 2009, PRNewswire
Copyright © 2009, NewsBlaze, Daily News

Tags: ,AGR,PET,POL,LEG,STP,PA-Dog-Law-stalled