[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 1624 Introduced in House (IH)]

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118th CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                H. R. 1624

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


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             March 17, 2023

Mr. Fitzpatrick (for himself, Mr. McGovern, Mr. Reschenthaler, and Mr. 
   Panetta) 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 2023''.

SEC. 2. ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR DEALERS.

    (a) Humane Treatment of Dogs by Dealers.--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 dealers, 
include requirements--
            ``(A) that such dealer provide adequate housing for dogs 
        that includes--
                    ``(i) completely solid flooring;
                    ``(ii) indoor space sufficient 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 provided to 
        each dog at least twice per day, in an amount sufficient to 
        maintain the good health and physical condition of each such 
        dog;
            ``(C) that each dog has continuous access to potable water 
        that is not frozen and is free of feces, algae, and other 
        contaminants;
            ``(D) that each dog has adequate exercise, including--
                    ``(i) for dogs over the age of 12 weeks, 
                unrestricted 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) allows the dog to extend to full 
                        stride, play, and engage in other types of 
                        mentally stimulating and social behaviors; 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 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) that each dog has meaningful socialization with 
        humans and compatible dogs for at least 30 minutes each day 
        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 receives adequate veterinary care, 
        including--
                    ``(i) prompt treatment of any disease, illness or 
                injury by a licensed veterinarian;
                    ``(ii) a thorough hands-on examination by a 
                licensed veterinarian at least once each year, which 
                shall include a dental exam;
                    ``(iii) core vaccinations recommended by the 
                current version of the American Animal Hospital 
                Association Canine Vaccination Guidelines; and
                    ``(iv) medications to prevent intestinal parasites, 
                heartworm disease, fleas, and ticks that are approved 
                by a licensed veterinarian for canine use;
            ``(G) with respect to safe breeding practices for dogs, 
        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 mother or her offspring;
                    ``(ii) prohibiting breeding, unless each dog bred 
                has been screened by a veterinarian prior to each 
                attempt to breed and is found to be free from health 
                conditions that may be disabling to, or likely to 
                significantly affect the lifespan or quality of life 
                of, the mother or her 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 (having a 
                maximum weight range at maturity that is below 40 
                pounds) 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 (having 
                expected weight ranges at maturity that include 40 or 
                more pounds) 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;
            ``(H) that dogs be housed with other dogs, unless health or 
        behavioral issues make group housing unsafe; and
            ``(I) 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) 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 by dealers, as required by this Act.
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