SB590: SB590 Animal Protection; protections for dogs possessed for breeding purposes; strengthen

26 LC 60 0319 Senate Bill 590 By: Senators Summers of the 13th, Albers of the 56th, Goodman of the 8th, Robertson of the 29th, Hodges of the 3rd and others A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT To amend Article 1 of Chapter 11 of Title 4 of the Official Cod e of Georgia Annotated,1 relating to animal protection generally, so as to strengthen protections for dogs possessed for2 breeding purposes; to provide a definition; to expand minimum standards of care applicable3 to dog breeders; to limit the total number of dogs that may be possessed for breeding4 purposes; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.5 BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:6 SECTION 1.7 Article 1 of Chapter 11 of Title 4 of the Official Code of Geor gia Annotated, relating to8 animal protection generally, is amended by adding a new Code section to read as follows:9 "4-11-10.2.10 (a) As used in this Code section, the term 'dog breeder' means any person who:11 (1) Sells or offers for sale any offspring of dogs bred or pro duced by such person,12 regardless of whether such person also sells or offers for sale other animals; or13 (2) Exercises custody, control, possession, or ownership of more than four intact female14 dogs for the purpose of breeding and selling or offering for sa le the offspring of such15 dogs.16 S. B. 590 - 1 - 26 LC 60 0319 (b) A dog breeder shall, in addition to any other requirements set forth in this chapter, at17 minimum provide each dog for which such breeder exercises custody, control, possession,18 or ownership of with:19 (1) Adequate housing, including, but not limited to, ensuring that the primary enclosure20 of each dog:21 (A) Is sufficient in size to permit the dog to lie down while fully extended without the22 head, face, tail, legs, or feet of such dog touching the sides of the enclosure or touching23 any other animal in the enclosure;24 (B) Has an interior height that is at least six inches higher than the head of the dog25 when such dog is in a normal standing position;26 (C) Is at least three times the length and width of the dog, from tip of nose to base of27 tail and shoulder blade to shoulder blade;28 (D) Provides access to suitable shelter, including, but not limited to, shelter that:29 (i) Is not an open structure or only covered by a tarp or similar material;30 (ii) Allows the dog to remain dry during rain or snow and prot ects such dog from31 wind and excessive heat or cold, including, but not limited to, providing sufficient and32 clean bedding material; and33 (iii) Provides sufficient shade to protect the dog from overhe ating or other direct34 effects of the sun.35 (2) Veterinary care that a prudent veterinarian would provide to a dog for the purpose of36 preventing, diagnosing, or treating an illness, injury, or dise ase or its symptoms in a37 manner that is:38 (A) In accordance with generally accepted standards of the pra ctice of veterinary39 medicine;40 (B) Appropriate in terms of type, frequency, extent, site, and duration; and41 (C) Not primarily for the economic benefit of the veterinarian;42 S. B. 590 - 2 - 26 LC 60 0319 (3) Regular exercise which is sufficient and appropriate for the particular breed of dog;43 and44 (4) Rest and recovery between breeding cycles in accordance wi th generally accepted45 dog breeding standards.46 (c) Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary in this chapter, no person shall exercise47 custody, control, possession, or ownership of more than 30 dogs for the purpose of48 breeding and selling or offering for sale the offspring of such dogs."49 SECTION 2.50 All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.51 S. B. 590 - 3 -