I just received word that two amendments have been added to House Bill 2525 in the PA Senate and will now have to go back to the House of Representatives. That is all of the information I currently have. I will keep you posted.
UPDATE:
The major change made by the Senate Agriculture Committee was the effective date for the new measures to take effect after being signed into law. It was originally stated in HB 2525 the changes would have to be made within six month after becoming law.
The Senate Agricluture Committe has stated more time is needed to meet the requirements which would require larger cages for dogs, exercise areas at each kennel and new cage flooring. These changes would mean the breeder would incur construction costs for the commercial dog breeders. The time limit stated in the amendment is one year.
The amended bill would still include only having a licensed veterinarian euthanizing dogs.
The bill will still allow breeders to give their own rabies shots.
The bill kept the 50 degree temperature minimum and the outdoor runs as part of it.
Even though I disagree with delaying the changes after it becomes law, in the long run and we have to look at it from that perspective, this will be better for the dogs. It may take longer to create changes, but the bottomline is that we will finally have changes for once for these dogs.
I’m trying to read all of the information I have received and trying to condense it in the best possible way. Please bear with me.
If this bill is passed in the Senate in two weeks, the bill then goes back to the House. There are only three voting days remaining in the Senate for the entire year! The House plans to meet in November. If the House agrees to the amendments, the bill goes to Governor Rendell for his signature.