[Congressional Bills 115th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 4693 Introduced in House (IH)]

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115th CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                H. R. 4693

To amend the Animal Welfare Act to provide for the humane treatment of 
                     dogs, and for other purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                           December 20, 2017

 Mr. Fitzpatrick (for himself and Mr. Crist) introduced the following 
        bill; which was referred to the Committee on Agriculture

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
To amend the Animal Welfare Act to provide for the humane treatment of 
                     dogs, and for other purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Puppy Protection Act of 2017''.

SEC. 2. ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR DOGS IN DEALER FACILITIES.

    (a) Humane Treatment of Dogs in Dealer Facilities.--Section 13(a) 
of The Animal Welfare Act (7 U.S.C. 2143(a)) is amended by adding at 
the end the following new paragraph:
    ``(9) In addition to the requirements under paragraph (2), the 
standards described in paragraph (1) shall, with respect to dogs in a 
dealer facility, include requirements--
            ``(A) that such dealer facility provide adequate housing 
        for dogs that includes--
                    ``(i) completely solid flooring;
                    ``(ii) sufficient indoor space to allow the tallest 
                dog in an enclosure to stand on his or her hind legs 
                without touching the roof of the enclosure;
                    ``(iii) with respect to dogs over 8 weeks in age, 
                primary enclosures that, with the length of the dog 
                measured from the tip of the nose to the base of the 
                tail, provide at least--
                            ``(I) 12 square feet of indoor floor space 
                        per each dog up to 25 inches long;
                            ``(II) 20 square feet of indoor floor space 
                        per each dog between 25 and 35 inches long; and
                            ``(III) 30 square feet of indoor floor 
                        space per each dog 35 inches and longer;
                    ``(iv) enclosures that are not stacked or otherwise 
                placed on top of or below another enclosure; and
                    ``(v) temperature control that--
                            ``(I) is appropriate for the age, breed, 
                        and condition of the dogs in the enclosure; and
                            ``(II) is between 45 and 85 degrees 
                        Fahrenheit, when dogs are present in the 
                        enclosure;
            ``(B) that appropriate and nutritious food be fed at least 
        twice per day, in an amount sufficient to maintain the good 
        health and physical condition of each dog;
            ``(C) for continuous access to potable water that is not 
        frozen and is free of feces, algae, and other contaminants be 
        available;
            ``(D) for adequate exercise, including--
                    ``(i) for dogs over the age of 12 weeks, unfettered 
                access from their primary enclosures during daylight 
                hours to an outdoor exercise area that is--
                            ``(I) at ground-level;
                            ``(II) a solid surface;
                            ``(III) enclosed (by a fence or other 
                        structure);
                            ``(IV) properly controlled for the safety 
                        of the dogs; and
                            ``(V) at least two times the space required 
                        for a dog under subparagraph (A)(iii); or
                    ``(ii) if the dealer obtains a certification from 
                the attending veterinarian stating that the dog should 
                not have unfettered access to an outdoor exercise area 
                for a specific medical reason, an alternative and 
                appropriate exercise plan prescribed by the 
                veterinarian for the dog that meets the requirements 
                under section 3.8a of title 9, Code of Federal 
                Regulations;
            ``(E) for at least 30 minutes each day of meaningful 
        socialization with humans and compatible dogs that--
                    ``(i) includes positive interaction with a human 
                such as petting, stroking, grooming, feeding, playing 
                with, exercising, or other touching of the dog that is 
                beneficial to the well-being of the dog; and
                    ``(ii) does not include time spent in veterinary 
                care;
            ``(F) that each dog receive adequate veterinary care, 
        including--
                    ``(i) a hands-on examination by a licensed 
                veterinarian at least once each year;
                    ``(ii) core vaccinations recommended by the current 
                version of the American Animal Hospital Association 
                Canine Vaccination Guidelines; and
                    ``(iii) medications to prevent intestinal 
                parasites, heartworm disease, fleas, and ticks that are 
                approved by a licensed veterinarian for canine use;
            ``(G) for safe breeding practices, including--
                    ``(i) a screening program for known prevalent 
                inheritable diseases that may be disabling or likely to 
                significantly affect the lifespan or quality of life of 
                the offspring;
                    ``(ii) prohibiting breeding, unless each dog bred 
                is free from health conditions that may be disabling 
                to, or likely to significantly affect the lifespan or 
                quality of life of, the offspring (as documented by a 
                licensed veterinarian upon examination);
                    ``(iii) prohibiting the breeding of a female dog--
                            ``(I) to produce more than two litters in 
                        any 18-month period; or
                            ``(II) more than 6 litters in that dog's 
                        lifetime;
                    ``(iv) that female dogs of small breeds (weighing 
                less than 40 pounds when fully mature) not be bred--
                            ``(I) before reaching the age of 18 months; 
                        or
                            ``(II) after reaching the age of 9 years;
                    ``(v) that female dogs of large breeds (weighing 40 
                pounds or more when fully mature) not be bred--
                            ``(I) before reaching the age of 2 years; 
                        or
                            ``(II) after reaching the age of 7 years; 
                        and
                    ``(vi) that any canine caesarian section be 
                performed by a licensed veterinarian; and
            ``(H) to make all reasonable efforts to find humane 
        placement for retired breeding dogs (such as with an adoptive 
        family, rescue organization, or other appropriate owner for 
        that dog, and not including selling at auction or otherwise 
        placing a retired breeding dog with another breeder for 
        breeding purposes).''.
    (b) Dealer Facility Defined.--Section 2 of the Animal Welfare Act 
(7 U.S.C. 2132) is amended by adding at the end the following new 
subsection:
    ``(p) The term `dealer facility' means any facility used by a 
dealer in commerce to, for compensation or profit, deliver for 
transportation, transport (except as a carrier), buy, sell, or 
negotiate the purchase or sale of, any dog.''.
    (c) Conforming Amendment.--Section 13(a)(2)(B) of the Animal 
Welfare Act (7 U.S.C. 2143(a)(2)(B)) is amended by inserting ``subject 
to paragraph (9),'' before ``for exercise of dogs''.

SEC. 3. REGULATIONS.

    Not later than 18 months after the date of the enactment of this 
Act, the Secretary shall issue final regulations establishing the 
standards for the care of dogs in dealer facilities, as required by 
this Act.
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