stamper
Sammy smiles!
- Joined
- Aug 3, 2000
- Messages
- 657
Below is a message that just came thru on one of the "dog lists" I'm on. While I agree that those who breed in deplorable conditions, treat their dogs badly and without care should be punished. However, this law also affects those of us who show our dogs, breed sparingly, treat our dogs as family members, etc. This also affects those who are involved in animal rescue and fostering. No matter you view of those who breed purebred dogs responsibly, this should upset you because of the ramifications it has on those who shelter, foster and rescue dogs in their homes or other properities.
For those of you who show your dogs and are responsible breeders, be aware that I am quite sure (you would want to check on this for sure) that it also takes into accound the dogs you co-own that don't live with you as a part of the "26 dog rule". It doesn't take much to reach that mark if this is the case - especially for those who have been "in the fancy" for many years!
Those of you who really don't care about dogs, but maybe make your living in part from tourist related business - take this into consideration. If this law passes, there will be many, many dog show people who will not vacation, spend time in, attend shows in and most importantly WILL NOT SPEND MONEY in your state!! You might want to consider writing to your Representatives!
We are from Maine and at the moment are planning a trip to PA in Sept. for a big show (week long I might add). Unfortunately it may be too late for the location to be changed and if this law remains in effect we will have decide what to do as not attending would likely hurt our Club more than the state. But I can assure you that it is highly unlikely that any more of our National Specialties will take place in PA. And BTW...we dog people spend ALOT of money at their National Specialties!!
There is also a similar law being proprosed in Lousiville, KY...."dog people" have already begun to boycott that city and surrounding areas. Hotel managers are taking notice!
Those of you who are PA taxpayers should take note of the dollar amount that is needed to "arm" the wardens to enforce this law...that section is in bold print...YIKES!!!!!
Thank-you for your time....permission to cross-post
Tasha
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A Commentary on Pennsylvania' s Proposed Dog Law
Enforcement Proposed Rules and Regulations
Department of Agriculture
7 PA. Code Chapters 21, 23, 25 and 27
36 Pa.B. 7596
http://www.pabullet in.com/secure/ data/vol36/
36-50/2452. html
To Implement and Amend http://www.pacode. com/secure/
data/007/ partIItoc. html
For many years now, the animal rights and animal
welfare groups have been telling the entire nation
that Pennsylvania is the "Puppy Mill" capital of the
east. I have always been suspicious of this
emotionally charged, hot button term. The phrase was
introduced in the 1980s and the HSUS has used it at
every opportunity since. Perhaps the phrase was first
used to describe genuine, sub standard kennels - but
it has since morphed into a catch all term that has
been used to demonize even the most reputable of
breeders.
There is no doubt that large, sub-standard kennels
exist in Pennsylvania. Laws were in place that should
have regulated such kennels, but they were not
strictly enforced. Because the animal rights activists
tend to cry "puppy mill" even when there are none, we
must question their motives and credibility. We cannot
allow these ridiculously stringent regulations to pass
into law.
Laws are made to cull out the bad apples.
Unfortunately, the bad apples usually do not adhere to
the law. Many have already shut down their operations
entirely or moved them to another state. These
proposed regulations will become a burden on those who
have always maintained professional kennels. The
honest person is being punished for the misdeeds of
those that the regulations were written for.
What is so onerous about these regulations is that
they are nearly impossible to follow unless you are
fortunate enough to have a full time staff. They are
time consuming and will incur great expense to kennel
owners. The potential for the regulations to be
subjectively enforced is of extreme concern and must
be taken into consideration.
Ironically, reputable breeders joined the animal
welfarists in the crusade to clean up or shut down
unprofessional breeders. Unfortunately the line
between hard core animal rights and genuine animal
welfare is very blurred, and often the former merely
poses as the latter. I warned readers many years ago
that animal rights people do not compromise - they see
things in black and white (i.e. all breeders are bad).
They can't be trusted and the newly appointed dog law
advisory board and their proposed regulations are
proof positive.
The PA Department of Agriculture admits they have
relied on and borrowed from provisions set forth in
the Animal Welfare Act (AWA) and in the Military Dog
Training Manual. Both of these documents were created
by and operated by the federal government which has
ample funds to adhere to them. The U.S. military
certainly has the budget to maintain a state-of-the
art kennel. It is not reasonable to place those same
standards upon a private citizen.
Taxpayer money will be used to purchase equipment
necessary for measuring lighting and ventilation. It
is estimated that $15,000 per warden will be allotted
the first year and $5,000 for the next four years, or
$35,000 per each warden. The information I have has 79
dog wardens listed - there could be more. 79 x $35,000
= $2,765,000, nearly $3 million dollars.
The proposed amendments to the regulations will impose
additional costs on those regulated. Licensed kennels
will need to comply with very restrictive
specifications regarding lighting, ventilation, space
requirements, sanitation, housing requirements and
record keeping. "Temporary homes" will also have to
comply with these regulations. The new dog advisory
board estimates the costs for each person and kennel
to come into compliance with these proposed
regulations will range from $5,000 to $20,000. That is
excessive and unacceptable.
Dog owners of every type need to make their voices
heard NOW. We cannot afford to hide our heads in the
sand any longer. If we do, we will deserve the
regulations that will be imposed on us. Please be sure
to send copies of your letters and comments to your
State representatives (both houses), a copy to your
federal representatives (both houses) and to Governor
Rendell. They need to know what the Pennsylvania
dog-owning taxpayers have to say about these proposed
regulations.
Comment letters should be sent on or before February
10, 2007 to assure receipt by the comment deadline.
Please also send copies of your letter to your State
Senator and State Assemblyman and to the Pennsylvania
Federation of Dog Clubs. Names and addresses are
available on the website at Pennsylvania Federation of
Dog Clubs
Bureau of Dog Law Enforcement
Attn: Ms. Mary Bender
Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture
2301 North Cameron Street Harrisburg, PA 17110-9408
717-772-4352 (FAX)
Governor Edward G. Rendell's Office
225 Main Capitol Building; Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
17120
To telephone the Governor call
717) 787-2500
If you have not read these regulations yet, you need
to do so. The link to them is at the top of this
article. The first time I read them, my head was
spinning. These should be guidelines for an ideal
kennel; not law.
The 26 Dog Rule
Any *establishment that keeps, harbors, boards,
shelters, sells, gives away or in any way transfers a
cumulative total of 26 or more dogs of any age during
1 calendar year must obtain a license. Those which do
not fall under this definition shall obtain
individual, rather than kennel, licenses.
K-1 kennels are currently described by PA law as those
with 26-50 dogs. These are small operations that will
most likely choose not to renew their kennel license
if they are subjected to the restrictive and expensive
regulations that are being proposed. Large
corporations, such as the Hunte Corporation, can
afford to buy puppies from smaller breeders while
maintaining facilities that meet all the proposed
requirements. These regulations encourage such factory
farms, that will in turn, sell puppies to pet shops
across the east coast!
The below example illustrates how detailed the
proposed regulations are.
*(An establishment includes the home, homestead, place
of business or operation of any individual or person,
including a dealer, which includes all of the land,
property, housing facilities or any combination
thereof, on, in or through which any dog is kept,
bred, harbored, boarded, sheltered, maintained, sold,
given away, exchanged or in any way transferred.
Establishment shall encompass all of the individuals
or persons residing thereon. It may be public or
private and includes an individual, person,
organization, business or operation, which utilizes
offsite or temporary homes to keep, maintain, breed,
train, harbor, board, shelter, sell, give away, adopt,
exchange, or in any way transfer dogs. A housing
facility includes any land, premises, shed, barn,
building, house, trailer or other structure or area
housing or intended to house dogs for any period of
time.)
Obviously the new, improved PA Dog Enforcement team
wants to be able to legally access an establishment
owner's entire premise and be able to inspect
everything which they own. Buying a kennel or dog
license conveys an obligation attached to ownership
rights which puts one under obligation to abide by the
governing laws, rules and regulations. The potential
to violate Constitutional rights is just too much to
risk in my opinion.
Of course, each time the Department decides a
regulation has been broken they can file an injunction
against the kennel and may also impose a fine of not
less than $100 nor more than $500 for every day the
kennel operates in violation of the act or
regulations. (For instance, operating a kennel without
a license, operating with a revoked license,
suspension of a license, selling dogs without an
out-of-state dealer license )
Seizure of dogs. The Department may seize, impound and
direct forfeiture proceedings of dog(s) for the
following reasons: Revocation, suspension or denial of
a kennel license or an out-of-State dealer license.
The owner shall pay for transportation costs, care and
feeding of the dog(s) even though they are not in his
possession.
These new regulations provide similar penalties that
are used in alleged animal cruelty cases where animals
have been seized. A person is judged guilty until
proven broke. Remember, violation of any of these
rules and regulations could theoretically result in
punitive actions against a dog owner or kennel. There
are procedures to appeal an ACO or dog warden's
decision, but they are time consuming and expensive.
Few people are able to retrieve their property (their
dogs) once they have been forfeited. The holding fees
are quite steep and unreasonable. Some of the animals
die while in the care of a third party; some become
diseased and others are sold or adopted out.
This is Administrative Law. The Dog Advisory Board not
only writes and incorporates new rules and regulations
into the statutes, it is also responsible for
administering and enforcing them as well as judging
whether they have been broken! It is difficult to
fight such a system.
Extensive records on each dog kept at a licensed
kennel must be maintained for at least 2 years. The
records must be legible and be open to inspection and
may be copied by any employee of the Department (with
or without notice). All records must include the
minimum information: the breed, color, markings, sex
and age of each dog; the date on which each dog
entered the kennel, and where the dog came from. Other
information may be required depending on the type of
kennel license one owns. The PA kennel license number
or out-of-state dealer license is necessary for dogs
that enter a kennel along with the name and address of
the individual breeder or former keeper. Similar
records are kept for dogs leaving the kennel including
detailed vet records about the dog. (spayed, neutered,
vaccinations etc etc)
Similarly, the housing requirements are quite
detailed. Temperature control, safe housing, space
requirements, protection from the elements, strict
sanitation protocols, and even lighting specifications
are set out in great detail for both indoor and
outdoor facilities.
The following are just a few of the details covered.
Outdoor dog shelters must be raised off the ground and
built to be draft free, and yet must be well
ventilated. They must have clean and dry bedding at
all times. There must be a wind and rain break at the
entrance and a mud free area with no standing or
pooled water nearby. It must be easy to clean and
sanitize. Dogs may not be housed in drums or barrel
houses.
Shade must be provided by a permanent fixture; not a
tarp. The shade area must allow for air movement in
excessive heat and protect the dogs from the direct
rays of the sun. The shade areas must adhere to strict
space requirements.
Both indoor and outdoor facilities must be equipped
with waste disposal and drainage systems built on a
slope and in the best possible manner to wash away
animal waste and allow for quick runoff. (At least
1/8" per foot) Outdoor kennel runs must be sloped to a
gutter outside of the end fence of each run. Drains
and gutters shall be sanitized daily then flushed with
water.
The exercise run associated with each dog box must be
at least five times the length of the largest dog in
that run and two times as wide as the length of the
largest dog in that run. Outdoor runs and exercise
areas may be constructed of concrete, gravel or stone.
Again, the regulations set for very definite
specifications. Outdoor facilities, including runs and
exercise areas shall be kept free of grass and weeds.
Grass and weeds shall be cut back from the sides of
runs and exercise areas to a distance of 5 feet to
help prevent tick, flea and other parasite
infestation.
Each dog shall receive 20 minutes of exercise per day.
Dogs shall be walked on a leash by a handler or put in
an exercise area. The exercise area must be fenced,
shall be kept in good repair, and equipped to protect
dogs from becoming wet, matted or muddy during their
exercise. Outdoor facilities must be fenced and be
constructed to minimize or prevent vermin, animal,
insect and pest infestation and other vectors of
disease.
Records shall be kept regarding dates and times:
When the housing facility was cleaned.
When the housing facility was sanitized.
When each individual cage, dog box or primary
enclosure was cleaned.
When each food and water bowl was sanitized.
When new food and potable water was provided each dog.
Every keeper of a kennel shall keep a record of the
following for each dog housed in the facility:
The date, time and detail of daily feedings, cleaning
of kennel, and changing and refreshing potable water.
The date, time and detail of exercise activity of the
dog.
The date, time and detail of any medication
administered to a dog.
Any accident or incident in which the dog is injured.
The date and time of any veterinary care administered.
Records of veterinary care for each dog.
Any veterinary ordered or voluntary protocol for
vaccination, medication or other recommendation for
medical treatment of the dogs.
Tethering rules are set forth for dogs that are
outside. Accessible hot and cold water, sinks,
showers, towels and soap are mandated for animal
caretakers. Dogs housed in indoor and sheltered kennel
facilities shall be provided a regular diurnal
lighting cycle. Primary enclosures must be placed to
protect the dogs from excessive light. A minimum of
10-foot candles for kennel building and primary
enclosures; 20-foot candles for bathing, grooming and
toilet areas and 70-foot candles for food preparation
and storage areas are required. Electrical systems in
wash down areas must have ground fault circuit
interrupters and all others must be the all-weather
type with a spring cover.
Dogs not acclimated to current weather conditions
shall be kept indoors Puppies not born in the
receiving kennel facility shall be quarantined for a
minimum of 14 days. Adult dogs entering the kennel
from another place shall be quarantined. Dogs must be
separated according to sex, size and temperament
during prescribed daily exercise times.
Detailed provisions regarding dangerous dogs are
described. Dangerous dogs must be registered,
restrained and under strict supervision. Liability
insurance is required. Violations may result in
misdemeanors, confiscation of the dog and its
euthanization.
We have very briefly touched on the main subjects
covered in these extremely oppressive regulations. The
regulators need our input. These proposed rules must
be modified. Left as they are, there is too much room
for them to be unfairly enforced and administered.
There is too much room for them to be enforced
subjectively without common sense. We, who read the
news, see this happen each and every. Such ideal
guidelines cannot be legally enforced without causing
harm to innocent, law abiding citizens.
Nina Schaefer
President
Pennsylvania Federation of Dog Clubs, Inc.
pennafeddogclubs@ aol.com
www.paonline. com/pfdc
FX: 215 938 1201
1405 Grasshopper Road Huntingdon Valley, PA 19006
For those of you who show your dogs and are responsible breeders, be aware that I am quite sure (you would want to check on this for sure) that it also takes into accound the dogs you co-own that don't live with you as a part of the "26 dog rule". It doesn't take much to reach that mark if this is the case - especially for those who have been "in the fancy" for many years!
Those of you who really don't care about dogs, but maybe make your living in part from tourist related business - take this into consideration. If this law passes, there will be many, many dog show people who will not vacation, spend time in, attend shows in and most importantly WILL NOT SPEND MONEY in your state!! You might want to consider writing to your Representatives!
We are from Maine and at the moment are planning a trip to PA in Sept. for a big show (week long I might add). Unfortunately it may be too late for the location to be changed and if this law remains in effect we will have decide what to do as not attending would likely hurt our Club more than the state. But I can assure you that it is highly unlikely that any more of our National Specialties will take place in PA. And BTW...we dog people spend ALOT of money at their National Specialties!!
There is also a similar law being proprosed in Lousiville, KY...."dog people" have already begun to boycott that city and surrounding areas. Hotel managers are taking notice!
Those of you who are PA taxpayers should take note of the dollar amount that is needed to "arm" the wardens to enforce this law...that section is in bold print...YIKES!!!!!
Thank-you for your time....permission to cross-post
Tasha
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A Commentary on Pennsylvania' s Proposed Dog Law
Enforcement Proposed Rules and Regulations
Department of Agriculture
7 PA. Code Chapters 21, 23, 25 and 27
36 Pa.B. 7596
http://www.pabullet in.com/secure/ data/vol36/
36-50/2452. html
To Implement and Amend http://www.pacode. com/secure/
data/007/ partIItoc. html
For many years now, the animal rights and animal
welfare groups have been telling the entire nation
that Pennsylvania is the "Puppy Mill" capital of the
east. I have always been suspicious of this
emotionally charged, hot button term. The phrase was
introduced in the 1980s and the HSUS has used it at
every opportunity since. Perhaps the phrase was first
used to describe genuine, sub standard kennels - but
it has since morphed into a catch all term that has
been used to demonize even the most reputable of
breeders.
There is no doubt that large, sub-standard kennels
exist in Pennsylvania. Laws were in place that should
have regulated such kennels, but they were not
strictly enforced. Because the animal rights activists
tend to cry "puppy mill" even when there are none, we
must question their motives and credibility. We cannot
allow these ridiculously stringent regulations to pass
into law.
Laws are made to cull out the bad apples.
Unfortunately, the bad apples usually do not adhere to
the law. Many have already shut down their operations
entirely or moved them to another state. These
proposed regulations will become a burden on those who
have always maintained professional kennels. The
honest person is being punished for the misdeeds of
those that the regulations were written for.
What is so onerous about these regulations is that
they are nearly impossible to follow unless you are
fortunate enough to have a full time staff. They are
time consuming and will incur great expense to kennel
owners. The potential for the regulations to be
subjectively enforced is of extreme concern and must
be taken into consideration.
Ironically, reputable breeders joined the animal
welfarists in the crusade to clean up or shut down
unprofessional breeders. Unfortunately the line
between hard core animal rights and genuine animal
welfare is very blurred, and often the former merely
poses as the latter. I warned readers many years ago
that animal rights people do not compromise - they see
things in black and white (i.e. all breeders are bad).
They can't be trusted and the newly appointed dog law
advisory board and their proposed regulations are
proof positive.
The PA Department of Agriculture admits they have
relied on and borrowed from provisions set forth in
the Animal Welfare Act (AWA) and in the Military Dog
Training Manual. Both of these documents were created
by and operated by the federal government which has
ample funds to adhere to them. The U.S. military
certainly has the budget to maintain a state-of-the
art kennel. It is not reasonable to place those same
standards upon a private citizen.
Taxpayer money will be used to purchase equipment
necessary for measuring lighting and ventilation. It
is estimated that $15,000 per warden will be allotted
the first year and $5,000 for the next four years, or
$35,000 per each warden. The information I have has 79
dog wardens listed - there could be more. 79 x $35,000
= $2,765,000, nearly $3 million dollars.
The proposed amendments to the regulations will impose
additional costs on those regulated. Licensed kennels
will need to comply with very restrictive
specifications regarding lighting, ventilation, space
requirements, sanitation, housing requirements and
record keeping. "Temporary homes" will also have to
comply with these regulations. The new dog advisory
board estimates the costs for each person and kennel
to come into compliance with these proposed
regulations will range from $5,000 to $20,000. That is
excessive and unacceptable.
Dog owners of every type need to make their voices
heard NOW. We cannot afford to hide our heads in the
sand any longer. If we do, we will deserve the
regulations that will be imposed on us. Please be sure
to send copies of your letters and comments to your
State representatives (both houses), a copy to your
federal representatives (both houses) and to Governor
Rendell. They need to know what the Pennsylvania
dog-owning taxpayers have to say about these proposed
regulations.
Comment letters should be sent on or before February
10, 2007 to assure receipt by the comment deadline.
Please also send copies of your letter to your State
Senator and State Assemblyman and to the Pennsylvania
Federation of Dog Clubs. Names and addresses are
available on the website at Pennsylvania Federation of
Dog Clubs
Bureau of Dog Law Enforcement
Attn: Ms. Mary Bender
Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture
2301 North Cameron Street Harrisburg, PA 17110-9408
717-772-4352 (FAX)
Governor Edward G. Rendell's Office
225 Main Capitol Building; Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
17120
To telephone the Governor call
717) 787-2500If you have not read these regulations yet, you need
to do so. The link to them is at the top of this
article. The first time I read them, my head was
spinning. These should be guidelines for an ideal
kennel; not law.
The 26 Dog Rule
Any *establishment that keeps, harbors, boards,
shelters, sells, gives away or in any way transfers a
cumulative total of 26 or more dogs of any age during
1 calendar year must obtain a license. Those which do
not fall under this definition shall obtain
individual, rather than kennel, licenses.
K-1 kennels are currently described by PA law as those
with 26-50 dogs. These are small operations that will
most likely choose not to renew their kennel license
if they are subjected to the restrictive and expensive
regulations that are being proposed. Large
corporations, such as the Hunte Corporation, can
afford to buy puppies from smaller breeders while
maintaining facilities that meet all the proposed
requirements. These regulations encourage such factory
farms, that will in turn, sell puppies to pet shops
across the east coast!
The below example illustrates how detailed the
proposed regulations are.
*(An establishment includes the home, homestead, place
of business or operation of any individual or person,
including a dealer, which includes all of the land,
property, housing facilities or any combination
thereof, on, in or through which any dog is kept,
bred, harbored, boarded, sheltered, maintained, sold,
given away, exchanged or in any way transferred.
Establishment shall encompass all of the individuals
or persons residing thereon. It may be public or
private and includes an individual, person,
organization, business or operation, which utilizes
offsite or temporary homes to keep, maintain, breed,
train, harbor, board, shelter, sell, give away, adopt,
exchange, or in any way transfer dogs. A housing
facility includes any land, premises, shed, barn,
building, house, trailer or other structure or area
housing or intended to house dogs for any period of
time.)
Obviously the new, improved PA Dog Enforcement team
wants to be able to legally access an establishment
owner's entire premise and be able to inspect
everything which they own. Buying a kennel or dog
license conveys an obligation attached to ownership
rights which puts one under obligation to abide by the
governing laws, rules and regulations. The potential
to violate Constitutional rights is just too much to
risk in my opinion.
Of course, each time the Department decides a
regulation has been broken they can file an injunction
against the kennel and may also impose a fine of not
less than $100 nor more than $500 for every day the
kennel operates in violation of the act or
regulations. (For instance, operating a kennel without
a license, operating with a revoked license,
suspension of a license, selling dogs without an
out-of-state dealer license )
Seizure of dogs. The Department may seize, impound and
direct forfeiture proceedings of dog(s) for the
following reasons: Revocation, suspension or denial of
a kennel license or an out-of-State dealer license.
The owner shall pay for transportation costs, care and
feeding of the dog(s) even though they are not in his
possession.
These new regulations provide similar penalties that
are used in alleged animal cruelty cases where animals
have been seized. A person is judged guilty until
proven broke. Remember, violation of any of these
rules and regulations could theoretically result in
punitive actions against a dog owner or kennel. There
are procedures to appeal an ACO or dog warden's
decision, but they are time consuming and expensive.
Few people are able to retrieve their property (their
dogs) once they have been forfeited. The holding fees
are quite steep and unreasonable. Some of the animals
die while in the care of a third party; some become
diseased and others are sold or adopted out.
This is Administrative Law. The Dog Advisory Board not
only writes and incorporates new rules and regulations
into the statutes, it is also responsible for
administering and enforcing them as well as judging
whether they have been broken! It is difficult to
fight such a system.
Extensive records on each dog kept at a licensed
kennel must be maintained for at least 2 years. The
records must be legible and be open to inspection and
may be copied by any employee of the Department (with
or without notice). All records must include the
minimum information: the breed, color, markings, sex
and age of each dog; the date on which each dog
entered the kennel, and where the dog came from. Other
information may be required depending on the type of
kennel license one owns. The PA kennel license number
or out-of-state dealer license is necessary for dogs
that enter a kennel along with the name and address of
the individual breeder or former keeper. Similar
records are kept for dogs leaving the kennel including
detailed vet records about the dog. (spayed, neutered,
vaccinations etc etc)
Similarly, the housing requirements are quite
detailed. Temperature control, safe housing, space
requirements, protection from the elements, strict
sanitation protocols, and even lighting specifications
are set out in great detail for both indoor and
outdoor facilities.
The following are just a few of the details covered.
Outdoor dog shelters must be raised off the ground and
built to be draft free, and yet must be well
ventilated. They must have clean and dry bedding at
all times. There must be a wind and rain break at the
entrance and a mud free area with no standing or
pooled water nearby. It must be easy to clean and
sanitize. Dogs may not be housed in drums or barrel
houses.
Shade must be provided by a permanent fixture; not a
tarp. The shade area must allow for air movement in
excessive heat and protect the dogs from the direct
rays of the sun. The shade areas must adhere to strict
space requirements.
Both indoor and outdoor facilities must be equipped
with waste disposal and drainage systems built on a
slope and in the best possible manner to wash away
animal waste and allow for quick runoff. (At least
1/8" per foot) Outdoor kennel runs must be sloped to a
gutter outside of the end fence of each run. Drains
and gutters shall be sanitized daily then flushed with
water.
The exercise run associated with each dog box must be
at least five times the length of the largest dog in
that run and two times as wide as the length of the
largest dog in that run. Outdoor runs and exercise
areas may be constructed of concrete, gravel or stone.
Again, the regulations set for very definite
specifications. Outdoor facilities, including runs and
exercise areas shall be kept free of grass and weeds.
Grass and weeds shall be cut back from the sides of
runs and exercise areas to a distance of 5 feet to
help prevent tick, flea and other parasite
infestation.
Each dog shall receive 20 minutes of exercise per day.
Dogs shall be walked on a leash by a handler or put in
an exercise area. The exercise area must be fenced,
shall be kept in good repair, and equipped to protect
dogs from becoming wet, matted or muddy during their
exercise. Outdoor facilities must be fenced and be
constructed to minimize or prevent vermin, animal,
insect and pest infestation and other vectors of
disease.
Records shall be kept regarding dates and times:
When the housing facility was cleaned.
When the housing facility was sanitized.
When each individual cage, dog box or primary
enclosure was cleaned.
When each food and water bowl was sanitized.
When new food and potable water was provided each dog.
Every keeper of a kennel shall keep a record of the
following for each dog housed in the facility:
The date, time and detail of daily feedings, cleaning
of kennel, and changing and refreshing potable water.
The date, time and detail of exercise activity of the
dog.
The date, time and detail of any medication
administered to a dog.
Any accident or incident in which the dog is injured.
The date and time of any veterinary care administered.
Records of veterinary care for each dog.
Any veterinary ordered or voluntary protocol for
vaccination, medication or other recommendation for
medical treatment of the dogs.
Tethering rules are set forth for dogs that are
outside. Accessible hot and cold water, sinks,
showers, towels and soap are mandated for animal
caretakers. Dogs housed in indoor and sheltered kennel
facilities shall be provided a regular diurnal
lighting cycle. Primary enclosures must be placed to
protect the dogs from excessive light. A minimum of
10-foot candles for kennel building and primary
enclosures; 20-foot candles for bathing, grooming and
toilet areas and 70-foot candles for food preparation
and storage areas are required. Electrical systems in
wash down areas must have ground fault circuit
interrupters and all others must be the all-weather
type with a spring cover.
Dogs not acclimated to current weather conditions
shall be kept indoors Puppies not born in the
receiving kennel facility shall be quarantined for a
minimum of 14 days. Adult dogs entering the kennel
from another place shall be quarantined. Dogs must be
separated according to sex, size and temperament
during prescribed daily exercise times.
Detailed provisions regarding dangerous dogs are
described. Dangerous dogs must be registered,
restrained and under strict supervision. Liability
insurance is required. Violations may result in
misdemeanors, confiscation of the dog and its
euthanization.
We have very briefly touched on the main subjects
covered in these extremely oppressive regulations. The
regulators need our input. These proposed rules must
be modified. Left as they are, there is too much room
for them to be unfairly enforced and administered.
There is too much room for them to be enforced
subjectively without common sense. We, who read the
news, see this happen each and every. Such ideal
guidelines cannot be legally enforced without causing
harm to innocent, law abiding citizens.
Nina Schaefer
President
Pennsylvania Federation of Dog Clubs, Inc.
pennafeddogclubs@ aol.com
www.paonline. com/pfdc
FX: 215 938 1201
1405 Grasshopper Road Huntingdon Valley, PA 19006
