Federal

Puppy Protection Act of 2023

Source: Congress.gov · 1,397 words in original text

What This Bill Does

This bill amends the Animal Welfare Act to add new requirements for how dog dealers must treat and care for dogs. The bill is called the Puppy Protection Act of 2023 and sets specific standards for housing, food, water, exercise, veterinary care, breeding practices, and socialization of dogs.

Who It Affects

Dog dealers (businesses that breed or sell dogs under the Animal Welfare Act).

Key Provisions

• Dog dealers must provide housing with completely solid flooring, adequate indoor space so the tallest dog can stand on hind legs without touching the roof, and specific square footage requirements based on dog length (12 square feet for dogs up to 25 inches, 20 square feet for dogs 25-35 inches, and 30 square feet for dogs 35 inches and longer) (Sec. 2(a)). • Dealers must not stack or place dog enclosures on top of or below other enclosures, and must maintain temperature control between 45 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit when dogs are present (Sec. 2(a)). • Dogs over 12 weeks old must have unrestricted access during daylight hours to an outdoor exercise area that is ground-level, solid-surfaced, enclosed by a fence, and allows dogs to extend to full stride and play, unless a veterinarian certifies a medical reason to restrict access (Sec. 2(a)). • Each dog must receive meaningful socialization with humans and compatible dogs for at least 30 minutes each day that includes positive interaction like petting, stroking, grooming, feeding, playing, exercising, or other beneficial touching (Sec. 2(a)). • Dog dealers must provide appropriate and nutritious food at least twice per day in amounts to maintain good health, continuous access to potable water that is not frozen or contaminated, and adequate veterinary care including annual exams with dental checks, core vaccinations, and medications to prevent intestinal parasites, heartworm disease, fleas, and ticks (Sec. 2(a)). • Female dogs of small breeds (maximum weight below 40 pounds) cannot be bred before age 18 months or after age 9 years, and female dogs of large breeds (40 pounds or more) cannot be bred before age 2 years or after age 7 years (Sec. 2(a)). • Female dogs cannot produce more than two litters in any 18-month period or more than 6 litters in a lifetime, and dogs must be screened by a veterinarian before breeding to ensure they are free from disabling health conditions (Sec. 2(a)). • Dealers must make reasonable efforts to find humane placement for retired breeding dogs through adoptive families, rescue organizations, or other appropriate owners, but cannot sell them at auction or place them with another breeder for breeding purposes (Sec. 2(a)).

What Changes

The Animal Welfare Act will be amended to add new paragraph (9) to Section 13(a) establishing detailed standards for how dog dealers must house, feed, exercise, socialize, and provide veterinary care for dogs, as well as requirements for safe breeding practices and care of retired breeding dogs.

Important Definitions

None defined in bill text.

Effective Date

The Secretary must issue final regulations establishing the standards for the care of dogs by dealers no later than 18 months after the bill becomes law (Sec. 3).

I 118TH CONGRESS 1ST SESSION H. R. 1624 To amend the Animal Welfare Act to provide for the humane treatment of dogs, and for other purposes. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES MARCH 17, 2023 Mr. FITZPATRICK (for himself, Mr. MCGOVERN, Mr. RESCHENTHALER, and Mr. PANETTA) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Agriculture A BILL To amend the Animal Welfare Act to provide for the humane treatment of dogs, and for other purposes. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa- 1 tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 2 SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 3 This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Puppy Protection Act 4 of 2023’’. 5 SEC. 2. ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR DEALERS. 6 (a) HUMANE TREATMENT OF DOGS BY DEALERS.— 7 Section 13(a) of The Animal Welfare Act (7 U.S.C. 8 2143(a)) is amended by adding at the end the following 9 new paragraph: 10 VerDate Sep 11 2014 22:47 Mar 29, 2023 Jkt 039200 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\H1624.IH H1624 kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS 2 •HR 1624 IH ‘‘(9) In addition to the requirements under paragraph 1 (2), the standards described in paragraph (1) shall, with 2 respect to dealers, include requirements— 3 ‘‘(A) that such dealer provide adequate housing 4 for dogs that includes— 5 ‘‘(i) completely solid flooring; 6 ‘‘(ii) indoor space sufficient to allow the 7 tallest dog in an enclosure to stand on his or 8 her hind legs without touching the roof of the 9 enclosure; 10 ‘‘(iii) with respect to dogs over 8 weeks in 11 age, primary enclosures that, with the length of 12 the dog measured from the tip of the nose to 13 the base of the tail, provide at least— 14 ‘‘(I) 12 square feet of indoor floor 15 space per each dog up to 25 inches long; 16 ‘‘(II) 20 square feet of indoor floor 17 space per each dog between 25 and 35 18 inches long; and 19 ‘‘(III) 30 square feet of indoor floor 20 space per each dog 35 inches and longer; 21 ‘‘(iv) enclosures that are not stacked or 22 otherwise placed on top of or below another en- 23 closure; and 24 ‘‘(v) temperature control that— 25 VerDate Sep 11 2014 22:47 Mar 29, 2023 Jkt 039200 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\H1624.IH H1624 kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS 3 •HR 1624 IH ‘‘(I) is appropriate for the age, breed, 1 and condition of the dogs in the enclosure; 2 and 3 ‘‘(II) is between 45 and 85 degrees 4 Fahrenheit, when dogs are present in the 5 enclosure; 6 ‘‘(B) that appropriate and nutritious food be 7 provided to each dog at least twice per day, in an 8 amount sufficient to maintain the good health and 9 physical condition of each such dog; 10 ‘‘(C) that each dog has continuous access to po- 11 table water that is not frozen and is free of feces, 12 algae, and other contaminants; 13 ‘‘(D) that each dog has adequate exercise, in- 14 cluding— 15 ‘‘(i) for dogs over the age of 12 weeks, un- 16 restricted access from their primary enclosures 17 during daylight hours to an outdoor exercise 18 area that is— 19 ‘‘(I) at ground-level; 20 ‘‘(II) a solid surface; 21 ‘‘(III) enclosed (by a fence or other 22 structure); 23 ‘‘(IV) properly controlled for the safe- 24 ty of the dogs; and 25 VerDate Sep 11 2014 22:47 Mar 29, 2023 Jkt 039200 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\H1624.IH H1624 kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS 4 •HR 1624 IH ‘‘(V) allows the dog to extend to full 1 stride, play, and engage in other types of 2 mentally stimulating and social behaviors; 3 or 4 ‘‘(ii) if the dealer obtains a certification 5 from the attending veterinarian stating that the 6 dog should not have unfettered access to an 7 outdoor exercise area for a specific medical rea- 8 son, an alternative exercise plan prescribed by 9 the veterinarian for the dog that meets the re- 10 quirements under section 3.8a of title 9, Code 11 of Federal Regulations; 12 ‘‘(E) that each dog has meaningful socialization 13 with humans and compatible dogs for at least 30 14 minutes each day that— 15 ‘‘(i) includes positive interaction with a 16 human such as petting, stroking, grooming, 17 feeding, playing with, exercising, or other 18 touching of the dog that is beneficial to the 19 well-being of the dog; and 20 ‘‘(ii) does not include time spent in veteri- 21 nary care; 22 ‘‘(F) that each dog receives adequate veterinary 23 care, including— 24 VerDate Sep 11 2014 22:47 Mar 29, 2023 Jkt 039200 PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\H1624.IH H1624 kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS 5 •HR 1624 IH ‘‘(i) prompt treatment of any disease, ill- 1 ness or injury by a licensed veterinarian; 2 ‘‘(ii) a thorough hands-on examination by 3 a licensed veterinarian at least once each year, 4 which shall include a dental exam; 5 ‘‘(iii) core vaccinations recommended by 6 the current version of the American Animal 7 Hospital Association Canine Vaccination Guide- 8 lines; and 9 ‘‘(iv) medications to prevent intestinal 10 parasites, heartworm disease, fleas, and ticks 11 that are approved by a licensed veterinarian for 12 canine use; 13 ‘‘(G) with respect to safe breeding practices for 14 dogs, including— 15 ‘‘(i) a screening program for known preva- 16 lent inheritable diseases that may be disabling 17 or likely to significantly affect the lifespan or 18 quality of life of the mother or her offspring; 19 ‘‘(ii) prohibiting breeding, unless each dog 20 bred has been screened by a veterinarian prior 21 to each attempt to breed and is found to be free 22 from health conditions that may be disabling to, 23 or likely to significantly affect the lifespan or 24 quality of life of, the mother or her offspring 25 VerDate Sep 11 2014 22:47 Mar 29, 2023 Jkt 039200 PO 00000 Frm 00005 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\H1624.IH H1624 kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS 6 •HR 1624 IH (as documented by a licensed veterinarian upon 1 examination); 2 ‘‘(iii) prohibiting the breeding of a female 3 dog— 4 ‘‘(I) to produce more than two litters 5 in any 18-month period; or 6 ‘‘(II) more than 6 litters in that dog’s 7 lifetime; 8 ‘‘(iv) that female dogs of small breeds 9 (having a maximum weight range at maturity 10 that is below 40 pounds) not be bred— 11 ‘‘(I) before reaching the age of 18 12 months; or 13 ‘‘(II) after reaching the age of 9 14 years; 15 ‘‘(v) that female dogs of large breeds (hav- 16 ing expected weight ranges at maturity that in- 17 clude 40 or more pounds) not be bred— 18 ‘‘(I) before reaching the age of 2 19 years; or 20 ‘‘(II) after reaching the age of 7 21 years; and 22 ‘‘(vi) that any canine caesarian section be 23 performed by a licensed veterinarian; 24 VerDate Sep 11 2014 22:47 Mar 29, 2023 Jkt 039200 PO 00000 Frm 00006 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\H1624.IH H1624 kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS 7 •HR 1624 IH ‘‘(H) that dogs be housed with other dogs, un- 1 less health or behavioral issues make group housing 2 unsafe; and 3 ‘‘(I) to make all reasonable efforts to find hu- 4 mane placement for retired breeding dogs (such as 5 with an adoptive family, rescue organization, or 6 other appropriate owner for that dog, and not in- 7 cluding selling at auction or otherwise placing a re- 8 tired breeding dog with another breeder for breeding 9 purposes).’’. 10 (b) CONFORMING AMENDMENT.—Section 11 13(a)(2)(B) of the Animal Welfare Act (7 U.S.C. 12 2143(a)(2)(B)) is amended by inserting ‘‘subject to para- 13 graph (9),’’ before ‘‘for exercise of dogs’’. 14 SEC. 3. REGULATIONS. 15 Not later than 18 months after the date of the enact- 16 ment of this Act, the Secretary shall issue final regulations 17 establishing the standards for the care of dogs by dealers, 18 as required by this Act. 19 Æ VerDate Sep 11 2014 22:47 Mar 29, 2023 Jkt 039200 PO 00000 Frm 00007 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6301 E:\BILLS\H1624.IH H1624 kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS

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