PA Governor Rendell Signs Bill to Better Protect Dogs in Commercial Kennels; Ban on Kennels Euthanizing Dogs Takes Effect Immediately

Says Pennsylvania Shedding Reputation as 'Puppy Mill Capitol of the East'

HARRISBURG, Pa., Oct. 10 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Hundreds of thousands of dogs that will one day be welcomed into the homes of families across the state will receive better treatment and enjoy improved conditions now that Governor Edward G. Rendell has signed into law sweeping measures to reform the state's dog law.

The new law, Act 119 of 2008, eliminates deplorable conditions in puppy breeding operations and provides for better health among dogs in commercial kennels.

Governor Rendell said the new law will help to improvePennsylvania's tarnished reputation in this area.

"I'm pleased to say, under this new law, commercial kennels that previously bred large numbers of dogs with little regard for their health or well-being must now improve the condition of their operations and give proper care and treatment to the dogs they house," said Governor Rendell. "We've all heard of the atrocities committed by commercial kennel operators that would rather shoot their dogs than pay for proper veterinary care. Those kinds of stories have givenPennsylvania the unwelcome reputation as the 'Puppy Mill Capitol of the East.'

"Pennsylvania law previously allowed dogs to be kept in cramped, stacked cages their entire lives with no opportunity for exercise and minimal care. These deplorable conditions led to dogs with physical and psychological problems and a poor standard of living. With this bill, those standards of care are finally raised.

"This is good news for the dogs in the kennels and dog lovers throughout the state. One day these dogs are going to become a member of someone's family. We want to be sure it's a welcome addition and provide a measure of reassurance to the family that their new dog will be happy and healthy."

House Bill 2525 addressed the health and welfare needs of the dogs housed in large commercial breeding kennels. A provision that allows only veterinarians to euthanize dogs in commercial breeding kennels takes effect immediately.

The law requires all commercial breeding kennels to meet the new physical standards for cage size and flooring within one year, unless granted a temporary waiver by the Department of Agriculture.

Among other protections for dogs, the new law doubles the minimum floor space for dogs, eliminates wire flooring, and requires exercise that is at least as good as unfettered access to an exercise area twice the size of the primary enclosure. Current law does not require that dogs ever be taken out of cages, much less be provided access to exercise areas. The wire flooring allowed under current law breaks down easily, and destroys dogs' feet over time.

The law also requires veterinary examinations for each dog twice per year.

The requirements for other types of kennels, like sporting and hobby dog kennels, are virtually unchanged. These entities do not operate with the purpose of breeding large quantities of dogs to sell for profit.

For more information on the new act, visit www.DogLawAction.com.

The Rendell administration is committed to creating a first-rate public education system, protecting our most vulnerable citizens and continuing economic investment to support our communities and businesses. To find out more about Governor Rendell's initiatives and to sign up for his weekly newsletter, visit www.governor.state.pa.us.

CONTACT:

Chuck Ardo

717-783-1116

SOURCE Pennsylvania Office of the Governor

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Copyright © 2008, NewsBlaze, Daily News

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