Governor Rendell Praises House Passage of Dog Law Reforms

September 17, 2008
PRNewswire

Harrisburg, PA - Governor Edward G. Rendell today praised the Pennsylvania House of Representatives for voting to pass House Bills 2525 and 2532, which he said will protect kennel dogs and the families that welcome them into their homes.

He urged swift passage of the bills in the Senate to help rid Pennsylvania of its reputation as "Puppy Mill Capital of the East."

"The bills that passed in the House today with overwhelming, bi-partisan support will go a long way to protecting dogs kept in kennels with poor but currently legal conditions," the Governor said. "I applaud the House of Representatives for defeating the many amendments to House Bill 2525 filed on behalf of special interest groups and aimed at weakening the bill. The House has delivered strong legislation that reflects not only the needs of dogs, but the will of the public in improving the minimum standards in the worst of Pennsylvania's kennels.

"Current Pennsylvania law allows dogs to be kept in cramped, stacked cages their entire lives with no opportunity to exercise and minimal care," the Governor said. "These conditions lead to dogs with physical and behavioral problems. Pennsylvania must ensure that the standards of care are raised for the sake of dogs and the families that will eventually own them."

Governor Rendell said widespread public support could help move the legislation through the Senate, and urged Pennsylvanians to let their senator know their thoughts on the issue.

"There are reputable breeders in Pennsylvania, and the Department of Agriculture has worked with them and other segments of the kennel community to make sure this legislation does not impede their ability to breed and raise high quality show dogs, sporting dogs, and companion dogs," the Governor said. "I believe the bills that came out of the House reflect the needs of reputable kennel owners while raising the bar for those who are concerned only with the value, and not the welfare, of the dogs they breed."

Among other protections for dogs, H.B. 2525 doubles the minimum floor space for dogs, eliminates wire flooring, and requires access to an outdoor exercise area twice the size of the dog's 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 bill requires 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.

Protections for the welfare of all dogs are included in H.B. 2532. Specifically, debarking, the practice of cutting or destroying a dog's vocal cords would only be allowed by a veterinarian, as would surgical or Cesarean birth. Tail docking would be allowed by individual owners until the dog is three days old, after which point it must be done by a veterinarian.

"Too many times, dogs rescued from commercial breeding kennels suffer from procedures that should be done only by a veterinarian with proper anesthesia and sanitation," the Governor said.

The legislation is a result of Governor Rendell's effort to improve living conditions for dogs in Pennsylvania 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.