PRINTER'S NO. 1966
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No. 1735
Session of
2021
INTRODUCED BY ZIMMERMAN, SCHMITT, FREEMAN, DRISCOLL, McNEILL,
STAMBAUGH, NEILSON, HERSHEY AND CIRESI, JULY 30, 2021
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE AND RURAL AFFAIRS,
JULY 30, 2021
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, nonprofit
 1 kennels and Kennel Class I through VI license holders.--The
2 following shall apply to boarding kennels, nonprofit kennels and
3 Kennel Class I through VI license holders:
4 (1) Kennels under this subsection must develop and
5 follow an appropriate plan to provide dogs with the
6 opportunity for exercise. The plan shall be approved by a
7 veterinarian.
8 (2) All kennels for dogs shall be equipped with smoke
9 alarms or fire extinguishers. Housing facilities shall be
10 equipped with fire extinguishers on the premises. An indoor
11 housing facility may have a sprinkler system.]
12 (h) Additional requirements for [Kennel Class C license
13 holders only] primary enclosures in kennels.--The following
14 shall apply only to primary enclosures for all dogs in [Kennel
15 Class C] kennels:
16 * * *
17 (7) Housing facilities for dogs must be sufficiently
18 ventilated at all times when dogs are present to provide for
19 their health and well-being and to minimize odors, drafts,
20 ammonia levels and to prevent moisture condensation. The
21 Canine Health Board shall determine auxiliary ventilation to
22 be provided if the ambient air temperature is 85 degrees F or
23 higher. The relative humidity must be maintained at a level
24 that [ensures the health and well-being of the dogs housed
25 therein] accomplishes a Heat Index value of 85 or lower. The
26 appropriate ventilation[, humidity] and ammonia ranges shall
27 be determined by the Canine Health Board.
28 * * *
29 (i) Additional requirements for [Kennel Class C license
30 holders only] kennels.--The following shall apply only to dogs
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1 over 12 weeks of age in [Kennel Class C] kennels:
2 * * *
3 Section 2. The provisions of 7 Pa. Code § 28a.4(a)(1) are
4 abrogated.
5 Section 3. This act shall take effect in 60 days.
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