I 
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 Representa-
tives 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 FA-
CILITIES.—Section 13(a) of The Animal Welfare Act (7 
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U.S.C. 2143(a)) is amended by adding at the end the fol-
lowing 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; 
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‘‘(iv) enclosures that are not stacked or 
otherwise placed on top of or below another en-
closure; 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, un-
fettered access from their primary enclosures 
during daylight hours to an outdoor exercise 
area that is— 
‘‘(I) at ground-level; 
‘‘(II) a solid surface; 
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‘‘(III) enclosed (by a fence or other 
structure); 
‘‘(IV) properly controlled for the safe-
ty of the dogs; and 
‘‘(V) at least two times the space re-
quired 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 rea-
son, 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 mean-
ingful 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 veteri-
nary care; 
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‘‘(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 Hos-
pital 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 preva-
lent 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 ex-
amination); 
‘‘(iii) prohibiting the breeding of a female 
dog— 
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‘‘(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 ma-
ture) 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 ma-
ture) 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 hu-
mane placement for retired breeding dogs (such as 
with an adoptive family, rescue organization, or 
other appropriate owner for that dog, and not in-
cluding selling at auction or otherwise placing a re-
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tired 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 add-
ing 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 para-
graph (9),’’ before ‘‘for exercise of dogs’’. 
SEC. 3. REGULATIONS. 
Not later than 18 months after the date of the enact-
ment 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. 
Æ 
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