HARRISBURG - Legislation to overhaul Pennsylvania's Dog Law passed the House Wednesday.   The legislation now goes to the state Senate.

"As an advocate for animal rights, I was so pleased to see the huge turnout at yesterday's rally in favor of this legislation," State Rep. John Siptroth, (D-Monroe/Pike), said. "It is because of supporters like those at the rally that we were able to make the Dog Law a priority and get it passed by the House."

The legislation is aimed at improving care and conditions at Pennsylvania's commercial kennels. The bill would, for the first time in Pennsylvania, define commercial kennels and set standards for these kennels that generally mirror those required by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Commercial kennels would be defined as any kennel where dogs are bred and where dogs are sold or transferred to a dealer or pet shop, or where 60 or more dogs are sold or transferred in a calendar year.

The legislation would have little, if any, impact on non-commercial kennels such as boarding kennels, private sporting or hobby kennels, pet stores, rescue shelters or nonprofit kennels. While all kennels would have to be equipped with fire extinguishers and have vet-approved exercise plans for their dogs, only about 650 of the 2,750 licensed kennels in Pennsylvania would fall under the definition of commercial kennel, and be subject to the major provisions of the bill. These new requirements for commercial breeding kennels would:

• double the current cage size for dogs and require solid flooring in cages;
• prohibit the stacking of cages;
• require that dogs be given access to an outdoor area for exercise;
• introduce new standards for temperature controls, lighting and ventilation;
• require dogs to receive an annual exam by a veterinarian and prohibit anyone but a veterinarian to euthanize dogs in a commercial kennel.