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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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CONTACT:
Victoria L. Stanish |
State Rep. Mike Hanna |
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House Ag Committee reviews state’s dog law regulations
HARRISBURG, March 6 – State Rep. Mike Hanna, chairman of the House Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee, said the committee discussed proposed changes to the state’s dog kennel regulations at a public hearing held today.
Providing testimony at the event were representatives from the state Department of Agriculture; the Pennsylvania Federation of Dog Clubs Inc.; the Pennsylvania Professional Pet Breeders Association; Pennsylvania Veterinary Medical Association; Dr. Charles Newton, deputy associate dean, professor of orthopedic surgery, University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine; ASPCA; Federated Humane Societies of Pennsylvania; and the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau.
The proposed changes would outline sanitation, temperature, heating, ventilation and housing standards for kennels and make it easier for the state Department of Agriculture to enforce those provisions. The department oversees the state’s Bureau of Dog Law Enforcement.
“The more stringent regulations would protect dogs and consumers and help consumers distinguish reputable breeders and kennels from puppy mills. By making these proposed changes, we would improve the conditions under which dogs are bred and sold in Pennsylvania,” Hanna said.
The proposed changes include:
o defining a kennel as a facility with 25 dogs or more;
o requiring records of exercise, sanitation and feeding;
o keeping aggressive dogs separated from other dogs;
o increasing cage sizes and drainage holes;
o requiring dogs kept in kennels to be exercised for at least 20 minutes a day and segregating different-sized dogs during exercise;
o providing extra bedding for outdoor kennels when temperatures are below 35 degrees Fahrenheit;
o establishing moisture control and sanitation procedures;
o specifying conditions under which the Department of Agriculture would compensate people for property damages caused by dogs;
o outlining procedures for registering a dangerous dog and providing the Department of Agriculture with more power to confiscate a dangerous dog when necessary; and
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o requiring health certificates for all dogs entering Pennsylvania from another state, commonwealth or country.
The changes would apply to boarding kennels, shelters or breeders housing 25 or more dogs a year.
The public comment period for the draft Dog Law regulations is open until March 16. Any comments should be made in writing and addressed to: Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Dog Law Enforcement, 2301 N. Cameron St., Harrisburg, PA 17110-9408; Attn: Mary Bender.
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