Board: Pa. breeding kennels need vet inspections

HARRISBURG - Members of the state Dog Law Advisory Board yesterday urged the Department of Agriculture to dispatch veterinarians to examine and seize dogs if needed in commercial kennels with a history of disease or injuries.

It was the first board meeting since Gov. Rendell drafted new legislative proposals to toughen standards at hundreds of commercial breeding kennels and increase animal cruelty penalties.

But several board members said one major improvement - allowing veterinarians to inspect for illness and injuries - could be made without legislation.

Currently Pennsylvania's seven state vets treat mostly large animals, and dog wardens, who inspect the state's 2,600 licensed kennels and have very limited animal medical training, are the only agency employees who see the kennel dogs.

"The most important thing is not citing for a rusty fence or a drain that's clogged, but helping an animal writhing in pain in the corner that is being ignored," said Jennifer Muller, a board member and veterinarian in Marlton.

Jessie Smith, deputy secretary of the Department of Agriculture, said the state vets don't have the experience with small animals or the time to examine dogs in kennels. But she said the agency is exploring hiring outside vets on contract.

Rendell's efforts to overhaul the dog law through the regulatory process last year ran into opposition from breeders who complained that extensive record keeping and exercise requirements were too burdensome and housing requirements would be too costly.

As a result, Rendell last month dropped some of the requirements, but said he would continue to pursue more limited regulatory changes.

At the same time, he proposed even tougher legislation aimed at dealing with "puppy mills," large breeding kennels that produce hundreds of puppies a year for pet-shop sale.

Among the proposals for commercial kennels selling or transferring more than 60 dogs a year: larger cage sizes, the elimination of stacked cages and cages with wire bottoms, exercise areas, and required annual veterinary checkups.

Some board members representing breeding and hunting-dog groups maintain the legislation would unfairly target responsible dog owners.

Bob Yarnell, president of the American Canine Association, a breed registry group, accused Rendell of trying to shut down all commercial kennels.

"He wants to close the doors of the professional breeding industry," said Yarnell, surrounded by a dozen Amish breeders who run most of the largest kennels in the state and register their dogs with his group.