PRINTER'S NO. 709
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No. 693
Session of
2025
INTRODUCED BY ZIMMERMAN, CIRESI AND SHUSTERMAN,
FEBRUARY 21, 2025
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE AND RURAL AFFAIRS,
FEBRUARY 21, 2025
AN ACT
1 Amending the act of December 7, 1982 (P.L.784, No.225), entitled
2 "An act relating to dogs, regulating the keeping of dogs;
3 providing for the licensing of dogs and kennels; providing
4 for the protection of dogs and the detention and destruction
5 of dogs in certain cases; regulating the sale and
6 transportation of dogs; declaring dogs to be personal
7 property and the subject of theft; providing for the
8 abandonment of animals; providing for the assessment of
9 damages done to animals; providing for payment of damages by
10 the Commonwealth in certain cases and the liability of the
11 owner or keeper of dogs for such damages; imposing powers and
12 duties on certain State and local officers and employees;
13 providing penalties; and creating a Dog Law Restricted
14 Account," in licenses, tags and kennels, further providing
15 for requirements for kennels; and abrogating a regulation.
16 The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
17 hereby enacts as follows:
18 Section 1. Section 207(g), (h) heading, introductory
19 paragraph and (7) and (i) heading and introductory paragraph of
20 the act of December 7, 1982 (P.L.784, No.225), known as the Dog
21 Law, are amended to read:
22 Section 207. Requirements for kennels.
23 * * *
24 [(g) Additional requirements for boarding kennels, humane
 1 societies or associations for the prevention of cruelty to
2 animals and Kennel Class I through VI license holders.--The
3 following shall apply to boarding kennels, humane societies or
4 associations for the prevention of cruelty to animals and Kennel
5 Class I through VI license holders:
6 (1) Kennels under this subsection must develop and
7 follow an appropriate plan to provide dogs with the
8 opportunity for exercise. The plan shall be approved by a
9 veterinarian.
10 (2) All kennels for dogs shall be equipped with smoke
11 alarms or fire extinguishers. Housing facilities shall be
12 equipped with fire extinguishers on the premises. An indoor
13 housing facility may have a sprinkler system.
14 (3) Primary enclosures must be designed and constructed
15 so that they are structurally sound and must be kept in good
16 repair.
17 (4) Primary enclosures may not have gaps or openings on
18 the sides of the enclosure that would allow for a dog's limbs
19 to extend into another primary enclosure.]
20 (h) Additional requirements for [Kennel Class C license
21 holders only] primary enclosures in kennels.--The following
22 shall apply only to primary enclosures for all dogs in [Kennel
23 Class C] kennels:
24 * * *
25 (7) Housing facilities for dogs must be sufficiently
26 ventilated at all times when dogs are present to provide for
27 their health and well-being and to minimize odors, drafts,
28 ammonia levels and to prevent moisture condensation. The
29 Canine Health Board shall determine auxiliary ventilation to
30 be provided if the ambient air temperature is 85 degrees F or
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 1 higher. The relative humidity must be maintained at a level
2 that [ensures the health and well-being of the dogs housed
3 therein] accomplishes a Heat Index value of 85 or lower. The
4 appropriate ventilation[, humidity] and ammonia ranges shall
5 be determined by the Canine Health Board.
6 * * *
7 (i) Additional requirements for [Kennel Class C license
8 holders only] kennels.--The following shall apply only to dogs
9 over 12 weeks of age in [Kennel Class C] kennels:
10 * * *
11 Section 2. The provisions of 7 Pa. Code § 28a.4(a)(1) are
12 abrogated.
13 Section 3. This act shall take effect in 60 days.
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