DOG BREEDING STDS./LAW ENFORCEMENT TOOLS.

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View NCGA Bill Details2017-2018 Session
House Bill 179 (Public) Filed Wednesday, February 22, 2017
AN ACT TO ESTABLISH STANDARDS OF CARE FOR LARGE COMMERCIAL DOG BREEDING FACILITIES AND TO PROVIDE LAW ENFORCEMENT WITH TOOLS TO ENSURE THAT DOGS AT THOSE FACILITIES ARE TREATED HUMANELY.
Intro. by Saine, Jordan, Bradford, Harrison.

Status: Re-ref to the Com on Finance, if favorable, Judiciary II (House Action) (Apr 6 2017)
H 179

Bill Summaries:

  • Summary date: Feb 22 2017 - View Summary

    Enacts new GS 14-362.4 requiring a person who owns, has custody of, or maintains 10 or more female dogs over six months of age that are capable of reproduction and kept primarily for purposes of breeding and selling the offspring as pets to meet 12 specified standards of care including daily exercise, appropriate veterinary care, primary enclosures that meet specified requirements, and protection from adverse or extreme weather. Requires that the facilities and primary enclosures be kept clean and free from debris and odor. Makes violations a Class 3 misdemeanor punishable by a fine of no less than $25 per animal and no more than $1,000 unless the person has previously pled guilty or nolo contendere to, or been found guilty of, a violation of the statute, in which case the violation is a Class 1 misdemeanor. Exempts kennels or boarding facilities where the majority of the dogs are (1) bred or trained primarily for hunting, sporting, field trials, or show; (2) being maintained for hunting, sporting, field trials, or show; or (3) kept primarily for purposes other than the sale of offspring as pets. Also exempts veterinary hospitals, veterinary clinics, veterinary practices, veterinarians, and persons employed by those entities or facilities that, in the ordinary course of the provision of veterinary care or veterinary services, have custody of 10 or more female dogs over the age of six months that are capable of reproduction and that do not have custody of the dogs for the purpose of breeding and selling the offspring as pets. Specifies issues that the statute does not address. 

    Includes a severability clause.

    Applies to offenses committed on or after December 1, 2017.