Puppy Protection Act of 2020
This bill requires the Department of Agriculture to expand standards that govern the humane handling, care, treatment, and transportation of animals to include new requirements for commercial dog dealers. Specifically, the standards must require dog dealers to provide to dogs
The standards must also include requirements for breeders to use safe breeding practices and make all reasonable efforts to find humane placement for retired breeding dogs.
[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 4757 Introduced in Senate (IS)]
<DOC>
116th CONGRESS
2d Session
S. 4757
To amend the Animal Welfare Act to establish additional requirements
for dealers, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
September 29, 2020
Mr. Durbin introduced the following bill; which was read twice and
referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To amend the Animal Welfare Act to establish additional requirements
for dealers, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Puppy Protection Act of 2020''.
SEC. 2. ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR DEALERS.
(a) Humane Treatment of Dogs by Dealers.--Section 13(a) of the
Animal Welfare Act (7 U.S.C. 2143(a)) is amended by adding at the end
the following:
``(9) In addition to the requirements under paragraph (2), the
standards described in paragraph (1) shall, with respect to dealers,
include requirements--
``(A) that the dealer provide adequate housing for dogs
that includes--
``(i) completely solid flooring;
``(ii) indoor space sufficient to allow the tallest
dog in an enclosure to stand on his or her hind legs
without touching the roof of the enclosure;
``(iii) with respect to dogs over 8 weeks in age,
primary enclosures that, with the length of the dog
measured from the tip of the nose to the base of the
tail, provide at least--
``(I) 12 square feet of indoor floor space
per each dog measuring not more than 25 inches
long;
``(II) 20 square feet of indoor floor space
per each dog measuring more than 25 but less
than 35 inches long; and
``(III) 30 square feet of indoor floor
space per each dog measuring not less than 35
inches long;
``(iv) enclosures that are not stacked or otherwise
placed on top of or below another enclosure; and
``(v) temperature control that--
``(I) is appropriate for the age, breed,
and condition of each dog in the enclosure; and
``(II) is between 45 and 85 degrees
Fahrenheit, when dogs are present in the
enclosure;
``(B) that appropriate and nutritious food be provided to
each dog at least twice per day, in an amount sufficient to
maintain the good health and physical condition of each dog;
``(C) that each dog has continuous access to potable water
that is not frozen and is free of feces, algae, and other
contaminants;
``(D) that each dog has adequate exercise, including, for
each dog over the age of 12 weeks--
``(i) except as provided in clause (ii),
unrestricted access from the primary enclosure of the
dog during daylight hours to an outdoor exercise area
that--
``(I) is at ground-level;
``(II) is a solid surface;
``(III) is enclosed by a fence or other
structure;
``(IV) is properly controlled for the
safety of the dog; and
``(V) allows the dog to extend to full
stride, play, and engage in other types of
mentally stimulating and social behaviors; or
``(ii) if the dealer obtains a certification from
the attending veterinarian stating that a dog should
not have unrestricted access to an outdoor exercise
area for a specific medical reason, an alternative
exercise plan prescribed by the veterinarian for the
dog that meets the applicable requirements under
section 3.8 of title 9, Code of Federal Regulations (or
successor regulations);
``(E) that each dog has meaningful socialization with
humans and compatible dogs for at least 30 minutes each day
that--
``(i) includes positive interaction with a human
such as petting, stroking, grooming, feeding, playing
with, exercising, or other touching of the dog that is
beneficial to the well-being of the dog; and
``(ii) does not include time spent in veterinary
care;
``(F) that each dog receives adequate veterinary care,
including--
``(i) prompt treatment of any disease, illness, or
injury by a licensed veterinarian;
``(ii) a thorough, hands-on examination by a
licensed veterinarian at least once each year, which
shall include a dental exam;
``(iii) core vaccinations recommended by the latest
version of the American Animal Hospital Association
Canine Vaccination Guidelines; and
``(iv) medications to prevent intestinal parasites,
heartworm disease, fleas, and ticks that are approved
by a licensed veterinarian for canine use;
``(G) with respect to safe breeding practices for dogs,
including--
``(i) a screening program for known prevalent
inheritable diseases that may be disabling or likely to
significantly affect the lifespan or quality of life of
the mother or the offspring;
``(ii) prohibiting breeding, unless each dog bred--
``(I) has been screened by a licensed
veterinarian prior to each attempt to breed;
and
``(II) is found in the screening under
subclause (I) to be free from health conditions
that may be disabling to, or likely to
significantly affect the lifespan or quality of
life of, the mother or the offspring;
``(iii) prohibiting the breeding of a female dog to
produce--
``(I) more than 2 litters in any 18-month
period; or
``(II) more than 6 litters during the
lifetime of the dog;
``(iv) that a female dog of any small breed (having
a maximum weight range at maturity that is less than 40
pounds) not be bred--
``(I) before reaching the age of 18 months;
or
``(II) after reaching the age of 9 years;
``(v) that a female dog of any large breed (having
an expected weight range at maturity that includes 40
or more pounds) not be bred--
``(I) before reaching the age of 2 years;
or
``(II) after reaching the age of 7 years;
and
``(vi) that any canine caesarian section be
performed by a licensed veterinarian;
``(H) that dogs be housed with other dogs, unless health or
behavioral issues make group housing unsafe; and
``(I) to make all reasonable efforts to find humane
placement for retired breeding dogs--
``(i) such as with an adoptive family, rescue
organization, or other appropriate owner for that dog;
and
``(ii) not including selling at auction or
otherwise placing a retired breeding dog with another
breeder for breeding purposes.''.
(b) Conforming Amendment.--Section 13(a)(2)(B) of the Animal
Welfare Act (7 U.S.C. 2143(a)(2)(B)) is amended by inserting ``subject
to paragraph (9),'' before ``for exercise of dogs''.
(c) Regulations.--Not later than 18 months after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall issue final regulations
establishing the standards for the care of dogs by dealers, as required
by this section and the amendments made by this section.
<all>
Introduced in Senate
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. (text: CR S5897)
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