HB 693 — An Act amending the act of December 7, 1982 (P.L.784, No.225), known as the Dog Law, in licenses, tags and kennels, further providing for requirements for kennels; and abrogating a regulation.

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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