Regulation Station

New dog breeding rules begin in September

Originally published in the September/October 2018 issue of the OVMA Observer.

❯❯ Also in this Issue: Dogs on Patios | Watch Expired Drugs Kept in Inventory | New Administrative Rules for ODH/OBOP Under Consideration

By Jack Advent, CAE
OVMA Executive Director

The majority of revisions to Ohio’s commercial dog breeding legislation as stipulated in House Bill 506 officially take effect on Sept. 28, 2018. The proposal reflects several improvements, as well as an expansion of those breeders covered by the requirements. Additional administrative rules for some provisions still need to be promulgated by the Ohio Department of Agriculture, which oversees enforcement.

Among the new provisions are:

A modification of what constitutes a high-volume breeder for purposes of being covered under the law. The definition now includes someone who houses and/or maintains six or more unsprayed adult female dogs and also does at least one of the following: Sells five or more dogs to a dog broker or pet store, sells 40 or more puppies to the public in a calendar year, or has 40 or more puppies that were born and kept on the premises.
The breeder must use a veterinarian for an overall health plan, including nutrition, vaccinations, parasite control, an annual exam and prompt treatment of any significant malady.
Animals require human interaction, a minimum of 30 minutes of exercise a day, in-cage environmental enrichment and access to continuous potable water.
Cage stacking is prohibited, and after Dec. 31, 2021, the minimum cage size will increase and use of wire flooring in the required cage space will not be permitted.
Female dogs of a high-volume breeder are limited to no more than eight litters in a lifetime.
Dog rescues must register with the state each year, but no fee may be assessed unless they fail to register. Rescues may also not sell dogs to a dog broker or pet store.
Out-of-state breeders selling to dog brokers or pet stores must certify compliance with the same standards as in-state breeders.

Dogs on Patios

Legislation to permit dogs to join their owners at outdoor patio sections of restaurants will become effective Oct. 29. House Bill 263 passed the Ohio General Assembly prior to their current summer recess and was subsequently signed by the governor.

OVMA shared with lawmakers the need to incorporate certain public safeguards as the bill worked its way through the legislative process. As part of the bill’s provisions, the directors of agriculture and health are required to promulgate rules governing the presence of dogs in food establishments that include prohibition in times of a health emergency, owner control of the dog, and various food server safeguards and dog vaccinations.

Watch Expired Drugs Kept in Inventory

As many of you have experienced, the Ohio Veterinary Medical Licensing Board conducts routine compliance inspections of veterinary facilities. These inspections are essentially educational in nature and are intended to ensure compliance with OVMLB rules on minimum standards.

New Administrative Rules for ODH/OBOP Under Consideration

The radiographic equipment rules are up for their required five-year review, and newly drafted rules are under consideration by the Ohio Board of Pharmacy and the Ohio Department of Health. OBOP’s proposed changes reflect their efforts to completely restructure their compliance rules packages by the nature of the prescriber’s and/or drug distributor’s business.

OVMA reviews all draft rules and files extensive comments as appropriate to address perceived problems. Watch for updates in printed and electronic newsletters as these potential changes move through the rulemaking process.