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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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State
Rep. Mike Hanna |
  
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Hanna: House passes bill to strengthen Pennsylvania Dog Law
HARRISBURG, Sept. 17 – State Rep. Mike Hanna, D-Clinton/Centre, said the House of Representatives today passed legislation that would substantially strengthen Pennsylvania's Dog Law and introduce new standards of care and treatment for dogs kept in commercial kennels in the state.
"Passage of this bill is a victory for dogs and animal lovers in Pennsylvania," Hanna said. "The proposed changes would improve conditions for dogs and allow for better enforcement of the law."
The bill (H.B. 2525) passed 181-17 in the House after supporters were able during debate on Monday to defeat a string of amendments that would have weakened it. Most of the amendments were defeated by a margin of more than 2-to-1. Hanna said the House did approve several changes with which both Democrats and Republicans agreed.
Hanna, the chairman of the House Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee, said his committee worked in tandem with many interested groups to get the legislation to the House floor for a vote.
"We worked with many stakeholders to get this bill out of committee and up for a vote," Hanna said. "We need to put an immediate end to the unacceptable practices that are currently perfectly legal."
House Bill 2525 would require solid flooring and double the size of cages for dogs in commercial kennels. It also would prohibit the stacking of cages; require an outdoor exercise area for dogs; introduce new standards for temperature control, lighting and ventilation; require annual veterinary checkups, and; prohibit anyone except a veterinarian from euthanizing dogs in commercial kennels.
The legislation defines commercial kennels as those that sell or transfer dogs or dealers to pet shops, or those that transfer or sell more than 60 dogs a year. The legislation would have little or no impact on other types of kennels, such as boarding kennels, private sporting or hobby kennels, pet stores, rescue shelters or nonprofit kennels.
"The support for this bill by the public overall, not just from dog owners and animal lovers, is overwhelming. Ensuring the humane treatment of dogs in the state's large-scale commercial kennels is the right thing to do," Hanna said.
The legislation now goes to the state Senate. Hanna said residents can contact their state Senator and Senate leaders to urge a vote by visiting www.pahouse.com and clicking on the "Action Center" link. More information and updates about H.B. 2525 and Dog Law enforcement efforts in Pennsylvania are also available at www.doglawaction.org.
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CONTACT: Victoria L. Stanish |
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