119-hr2253

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 2253 Introduced in House

    (IH) ]

<DOC>

119th CONGRESS
 1st Session
 H. R. 2253

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

_______________________________________________________________________

 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

 March 21, 2025

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 2025''.

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 its 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 not more than 25 inches long;
 ``
            (II) 20 square feet of indoor floor space 
 per each dog more than 25 but not more than 35 
 inches long; and
 ``
            (III) 30 square feet of indoor floor 
 space per each dog more than 35 inches long;
 ``
            (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, except when fasting is directed by a licensed veterinarian 
 in the provision of appropriate veterinary care;
 ``
            (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, an outdoor 
 exercise area that--
 ``
            (I) is freely accessible from the primary 
 enclosures of such dogs;
 ``
            (II) is at ground-level;
 ``
            (III) is a solid surface;
 ``
            (IV) is enclosed (by a fence or other 
 structure);
 ``
            (V) is properly controlled for the safety 
 of the dogs;
 ``
            (VI) allows the dog to extend to full 
 stride, play, and engage in other types of 
 mentally stimulating and social behaviors; and
 ``
            (VII) is restricted only during nighttime 
 hours (between sunset and sunrise) or during 
 severe inclement weather; or
 ``
            (ii) if the dealer obtains a certification from 
 the attending veterinarian stating that the dog should 
 not have unrestricted 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 3.8

    (a) of 
 title 9, Code of Federal Regulations as in effect on 
 the date of enactment of this paragraph;
 ``
        (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 and 
 that each dealer maintain updated records of all instances of 
 such care, including--
 ``
            (i) prompt treatment by the dealer of any minor 
 or shallow cuts, scrapes, and abrasions;
 ``
            (ii) prompt diagnosis and treatment by a licensed 
 veterinarian in any case where symptoms of any 
 transmissible disease or infection or any illness or 
 injury are significant, visible, or evident in the 
 behavior, affect, appetite, or activity level of the 
 dog;
 ``
            (iii) a thorough hands-on examination by a 
 licensed veterinarian at least once each year, which 
 shall include a basic dental exam;
 ``
            (iv) core vaccinations recommended by the most 
 recent version of the American Animal Hospital 
 Association Canine Vaccination Guidelines as in effect 
 on the date of enactment of this paragraph; and
 ``
            (v) 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 to 
 produce--
 ``
            (I) more than 2 litters in any 25-month 
 period; or
 ``
            (II) more than 6 litters in the lifetime 
 of such dog;
 ``
            (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 
 conditions identified by a licensed veterinarian 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 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 and the 
amendments made by this Act.
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