HARRISBURG, Pa. — When strict new requirements for cage size, exercise and flooring standards went into effect for commercial dog kennels in Pennsylvania Oct. 9, the Department of Agriculture deployed teams of staff to ensure those laws are enforced.
Inspections
Dog wardens and kennel compliance specialists will inspect each of the nearly 300 licensed commercial kennels through the end of the year. They will take enforcement actions against kennel owners who do not follow the provisions of the dog law.
The enforcement actions include warnings, citations and revoking kennel licenses, as provided by law.
Pennsylvania’s 55-day enforcement plan, through Dec. 31, follows months of outreach by the department to commercial kennels and industry associations.
These new statutes address the health and welfare needs of dogs housed in commercial breeding kennels by requiring these operations to meet new physical standards for cage size, exercise and flooring.
The new laws only apply to “class-C” commercial kennels that breed dogs and either sell dogs to dealers or pet stores, or sell more than 60 dogs a year.
Changes
Changes that commercial kennel owners must comply with include:
– Dogs are required to have access to an outdoor exercise area.
– Temperatures inside the kennel cannot fall below 50 degrees Fahrenheit.
– Dogs must be provided water at all times.
– Wire flooring is prohibited in a dog’s living quarters.
– Dog cages cannot be stacked on top of one another.
– Dogs must be examined by a veterinarian at least twice a year.
Challenges to the new law were settled recently when a federal judge ruled that Act 119, including the new requirements taking effect Oct. 9, are constitutional. The Pennsylvania Professional Dog Breeders Association and a Pennsylvania kennel owner challenged sections of the law, but the judge concluded that their claims were without merit.
More information
For more information about the Bureau of Dog Law Enforcement, visit www.agriculture.state.pa.us. To offer confidential tips about unsatisfactory or illegal kennels, call 877-DOG-TIP1.
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Good news for Pennsylvania! Hopefully Ohio will act to eliminate the abusive situations found at many of our puppy mills, such as the ones seen in this video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cLnm3qpp8CM
It probably would be good to not be eating or drinking when they show the dog with puss oozing from its untreated, infected ear.
Tod
Bad news is the HSUS is behind every one of these bills that remove ownersip rights from people. ORC has abuse, neglect and cruelty statutes. Why weren’t these used in cases such as this if it is factually a breeder of many dogs? Why did one rescue testify at the recent HB124 hearing as to not “turning anyone in” is because they need a ‘good’ relationship with these breeders. Hmmm, seems a bit warped to me. WHY would anyone see true neglect and let it slide in the interest of saving a few dogs at a future date?…leaves more questions than answers. HB124 is seriously flawed.
would love it if it were true that they will enforce these new rules, but as time has taught us, our powers that be have a vested intrest in keeping these puppy mills going! Also why not the poor dogs that are in kennels not classified as “c” kennels? Their not worthy of humane treatment here in PA???! Thanks Brubaker and senate agriculture commitee! Once again you’ve done zip for the dogs. Yuck, you make me sick!
“Heaven”,
Read this: http://www.agriculture.state.pa.us/agriculture/cwp/view.asp?Q=153387&A=390
It looks like there must be at least some enforcement going on in PA.
:-)
I’m sure, as always, PA is faced with limited manpower and they rely on citizens such as yourself to report abuse.
Instead of complaining that they are doing “zip”, maybe you could make it a point to visit some nearby breeders with the express intent of looking to see that the dogs are well cared for.
I’m sure your local shelter could benefit from some volunteerism too!
Tod