Anti "Puppy Mill" Law Passed in Pennsylvania

(Many consider this 'historic' because they feel it is potentially precedent-setting and gives a framework for other states to follow suit. Pennsylvania is considered one of the 'worst' states for puppy mill activity, however, and gets into all kinds of tangled debates, including some with the Amish lifestyle.)

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The Humane Society of the United States Applauds Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell and State Lawmakers for Passing Historic Dog Protection Law

Governor Made Changing State’s Image as Puppy Mill Haven a Legislative Priority

LANGHORNE, Pa. – The Humane Society of the United States, the nation’s largest animal protection organization with nearly 600,000 supporters in Pennsylvania alone, applauds Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell for his crucial support of legislation to improve the lives of hundreds of thousands of dogs in the state’s commercial kennels.

"Pennsylvania's new law is one of the best in the country to crack down on abusive puppy mills where dogs are treated like nothing more than a cash crop," said Wayne Pacelle, president and CEO of The HSUS. “Thanks to the strong leadership of Governor Rendell and state lawmakers, and the hard work of Pennsylvania's dog lovers, it's the dawn of a new day for man's best friend in the Commonwealth."

Rendell commemorated the bill’s passage with a ceremonial signing today at the Center for Animal Referral and Emergency Services in Bucks County.

Sponsored by Rep. James Casorio, D-Westmoreland County, H.B. 2525 passed with overwhelming support from both chambers of the Pennsylvania General Assembly, receiving final approval by the House on Oct. 8. Rendell had made cracking down on puppy mills a priority issue this year, and signed the bill into law the night of its passage to ensure that the ban on commercial kennel owners killing their own dogs would take effect immediately.

Raids of puppy mills during the last few months of the legislative session--including one in late September that was reputedly the largest in state history−had shown the critical need for stronger regulation of less-than-reputable kennels. Pennsylvania has been tarnished with the reputation of being one of the worst puppy mill states in the nation.

Despite the wide margins of approval--49-1 in the Senate and 183-7 in the House-- the bill faced many challenges, and amendments not supported by The HSUS and other animal welfare groups were added along the way. However, the overall bill will have a tremendous positive impact on the lives of tens of thousands of dogs in Pennsylvania.

Among other provisions, H.B. 2525 will double the minimum floor space for primary enclosures. For dogs older than 12 weeks, the law prohibits the use of wire flooring and eliminates the stacking of more than two dog cages. It also requires that dogs have access to an exercise area twice the size of their primary enclosure, and requires veterinary visits at least twice a year.