This time last year, all our hard work paid off and a new dog law protecting dogs in the Pennsylvania's larger commercial breeding facilities was passed. At that time the legislature created a Canine Health Board to decide the specifics regarding ventilation, lighting, high-end temperature, and flooring alternatives (under the new law, solid or slatted flooring is required in all commercial kennels).
The recommendations made by the Canine Health Board are currently being reviewed by Independent Regulatory Review Commission. It is extremely important that we contact IRRC at this time and urge their members to support these regulations - in order to help the dogs of Pennsylvania's puppy mills. It is important to note that the Canine Health Board is comprised of nine vets selected by both the Republican and Democrat leaderships. These regulations have bipartisan support and were approved unanimously by the vets on the board.
The proposed regulations include:
Ventilation - Requires commercial kennels to have a functional, mechanical ventilation system, and in an emergency, the kennel must have operable windows, skylights, etc. When the temperature exceeds 85 degrees, this mechanical ventilation system must be used to reduced the temperature inside the kennel. This proposed regulation also requires breeders to monitor ammonia, carbon monoxide, and humidity levels, as well as requiring them to provide the dogs in their kennels with 8-20 air changes of 100% fresh air per hour in each room of the kennel where their dogs are housed. Many of the dogs in Pennsylvania's puppy mills have ulcers on their eyes from high ammonia levels; others suffer from heat exhaustion in the summer. This section of the proposed regulations will ensure that dogs in the larger commercial breeding kennels are provided with clean, fresh, breathable air.
Lighting - This proposed regulation recognizes the needs for dogs in these facilities to have exposure to natural light - or at the very least, a mixture of natural and artificial light. Many of the dogs rescued from these facilities have spent their whole lives in darkness, so this is extremely important. Under the suggested guidelines, dogs are also protected from excessive light, and shaded area will be required in outside exercise areas.
Flooring - Under the new dog law, solid or "slatted" flooring is required. This regulation outlines specifics regarding drainage (no dog standing in urine, etc.), degree of sloping, and the materials that can be used (dogs should not be forced to stand on hot or cold metal flooring, for example.)
What you can do:
PLEASE take the time to contact the below agencies or individuals as soon as possible (deadline October 27th) and urge them to support the Canine Health Board's proposed regulations. Point out that, if passed, the state will not incur any additional costs enforcing these regulations, and any costs incurred by the commercial kennels will be made up by selling healthier dogs.
Mail your comments first to: Canine Health Board, c/o PA Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Dog Law Enforcement, 2301 N. Cameron Street, Room 102, Harrisburg, PA 17110, or email your letter of support for the proposed regulations to
CHBComments@state.pa.us
Reprinted with the permission of MLAR
Photo courtesy of MLAR
Posted by Sherry, PA Forums Moderator