H.R. 847 — Introduced in House

I 113th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 847 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES February 27, 2013 Mr. Gerlach (for himself, Mr. Farr, Mr. Young of Florida, and Mrs. Capps) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Agriculture A BILL To amend the Animal Welfare Act to provide further protection for puppies. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Puppy Uniform Protection and Safety Act. 2. Protection of puppies under the Animal Welfare Act (a) High volume retail breeder defined Section 2 of the Animal Welfare Act (7 U.S.C. 2132) is amended— (1) in subsection (l), by striking research. and inserting research;; (2) in subsection (m), by striking members. and inserting members;; (3) in subsection (n), by striking section 13(b); and and inserting section 13(b);; (4) in subsection (o), by striking experimentation. and inserting experimentation; and; and (5) by adding at the end the following: (p) High Volume Retail Breeder (1) Definitions In this subsection: (A) Breeding female dog The term breeding female dog means an intact female dog aged 4 months or older. (B) High volume retail breeder The term high volume retail breeder means a person who, in commerce, for compensation or profit— (i) has an ownership interest in or custody of 1 or more breeding female dogs; and (ii) sells or offers for sale, via any means of conveyance (including the Internet, telephone, or newspaper), more than 50 of the offspring of such breeding female dogs for use as pets in any 1-year period. (2) Relationship to dealers (A) In general For purposes of this Act, a high volume retail breeder shall be considered to be a dealer and subject to all provisions of this Act applicable to a dealer. (B) Exception The retail pet store exemption in subsection (f)(i) shall not apply to a high volume retail breeder. . (b) Licenses Section 3 of the Animal Welfare Act (7 U.S.C. 2133) is amended— (1) by striking The Secretary and inserting (a) In general.—The Secretary; (2) in subsection (a) (as so designated), in the second proviso of the first sentence, by inserting (other than a high volume retail breeder) after any retail pet store or other person; and (3) by adding at the end the following: (b) Dealers A dealer (including a high volume retail breeder) applying for a license under subsection (a) (including annual renewals) shall include on the license application the total number of dogs exempted from exercise on the premises of the dealer in the preceding year by a licensed veterinarian under section 13(j)(2). . (c) Exercise requirements Section 13 of the Animal Welfare Act (7 U.S.C. 2143) is amended— (1) by redesignating subsections (g) and (h) as subsections (h) and (i), respectively; (2) by redesignating the second subsection (f) (as redesignated by section 1752(a)(1) of Public Law 99–198 (99 Stat. 1645)) as subsection (g); and (3) by adding at the end the following: (j) Exercise requirements (1) In general Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this subsection, the Secretary shall promulgate standards covering dealers that include requirements for the exercise of dogs at facilities owned or operated by a dealer, including exercise regulations that ensure that— (A) each dog that is at least 12 weeks old (other than a female dog with unweaned puppies) has daily access to exercise that— (i) allows the dog— (I) to move sufficiently to develop or maintain normal muscle tone and mass as appropriate for the age, breed, sex, and reproductive status of the dog; and (II) the ability to achieve a running stride; and (ii) is not a forced activity (other than a forced activity used for veterinary treatment) or other physical activity that is repetitive, restrictive of other activities, solitary, and goal-oriented; (B) the provided area for exercise— (i) is separate from the primary enclosure if the primary enclosure does not provide sufficient space to achieve a running stride; (ii) has flooring that— (I) is sufficient to allow for the type of activity described in subparagraph (A); and (II) (aa) is solid flooring; or (bb) is nonsolid, nonwire flooring, if the nonsolid, nonwire flooring— (AA) is safe for the breed, size, and age of the dog; (BB) is free from protruding sharp edges; and (CC) is designed so that the paw of the dog is unable to extend through or become caught in the flooring; (iii) is cleaned at least once each day; (iv) is free of infestation by pests or vermin; and (v) is designed in a manner to prevent escape of the dogs. (2) Exemption (A) In general If a licensed veterinarian determines that a dog should not exercise because of the health, condition, or well-being of the dog, this subsection shall not apply to that dog. (B) Documentation A determination described in subparagraph (A) shall be— (i) documented by the veterinarian; (ii) subject to review and approval by the Secretary; and (iii) unless the basis for the determination is a permanent condition, reviewed and updated at least once every 30 days by the veterinarian. (C) Reports A determination described in subparagraph (A) shall be maintained by the dealer. . 3. Regulations Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Agriculture shall promulgate any regulations that the Secretary determines to be necessary to implement this Act and the amendments made by this Act. 4. Effect on State law Nothing in this Act or the amendments made by this Act preempt any law (including a regulation) of a State, or a political subdivision of a State, containing requirements that provide equivalent or greater protection for animals than the requirements of this Act or the amendments made by this Act.