SF 955

as introduced - 88th Legislature (2013 - 2014) Posted on 03/21/2013 04:42pm

A bill for an act
relating to animals; pet and companion animals; providing for requirements and
inspection authority for commercial dog and cat breeders; appropriating money;
amending Minnesota Statutes 2012, sections 346.36, by adding subdivisions;
346.39, by adding subdivisions.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 346.36, is amended by adding a
subdivision to read:

new text begin Subd. 2a. new text end

new text begin Cat. new text end

new text begin "Cat" means a mammal that is wholly or in part of the species Felis
domesticus. An adult cat is a cat 24 weeks of age or older. A kitten is a cat under 24
weeks of age.
new text end

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 346.36, is amended by adding a subdivision
to read:

new text begin Subd. 2b. new text end

new text begin Commercial breeder. new text end

new text begin "Commercial breeder" means a person who
possesses or has an ownership interest in dogs or cats and is engaged in the business
of breeding dogs or cats to produce offspring for sale or for exchange in return for
consideration and who possesses ten or more sexually intact adult breeding animals and
whose animals produce more than five total litters of puppies or kittens per year.
new text end

Sec. 3.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 346.36, is amended by adding a subdivision
to read:

new text begin Subd. 3a. new text end

new text begin Dog. new text end

new text begin "Dog" means a mammal that is wholly or in part of the species
Canis familiaris. An adult dog is a dog 24 weeks of age or older. A puppy is a dog
under 24 weeks of age.
new text end

Sec. 4.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 346.39, is amended by adding a subdivision
to read:

new text begin Subd. 13. new text end

new text begin Sale of dogs or cats by commercial breeders. new text end

new text begin A dog or cat sold or
otherwise distributed by a commercial breeder must be accompanied by a certificate of
veterinary inspection completed by a veterinarian licensed to practice veterinary medicine
in Minnesota. The certificate must be completed within ten days prior to the sale or
distribution and must indicate that the animal was found to have no signs of infectious or
contagious disease. In addition, a certificate for adult dogs that have not been spayed or
neutered must indicate that the animal has been tested for canine brucellosis with a test
approved by the Board of Animal Health and found to be negative.
new text end

Sec. 5.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 346.39, is amended by adding a subdivision
to read:

new text begin Subd. 14. new text end

new text begin Record requirements for commercial breeders. new text end

new text begin A commercial breeder
shall keep records on each dog or cat at the facility that includes:
new text end

new text begin (1) the date of acquisition and disposition;
new text end

new text begin (2) the name and address of the person or entity from whom an animal was received;
new text end

new text begin (3) the vaccinations given to the animal, the date of vaccination, and the name of
the person who administered the vaccine;
new text end

new text begin (4) all identification numbers assigned to the animal by identification tags, tattoos,
or microchip;
new text end

new text begin (5) description of the animal by approximate age, breed, and sex, and other
distinguishing marks;
new text end

new text begin (6) the name and address of the person or entity to whom an animal was transferred;
and
new text end

new text begin (7) disease conditions diagnosed by a veterinarian.
new text end

Sec. 6.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 346.39, is amended by adding a subdivision
to read:

new text begin Subd. 15. new text end

new text begin Investigation of complaints regarding commercial breeders. new text end

new text begin The
Board of Animal Health, a local animal control authority, licensed peace officer, or humane
agent appointed under section 343.01, shall initiate an investigation upon receiving
a formal complaint alleging that a commercial breeder has violated the requirements
specified in this section or section 346.37.
new text end

Sec. 7.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 346.39, is amended by adding a subdivision
to read:

new text begin Subd. 16. new text end

new text begin Inspection and enforcement of commercial breeder facilities. new text end

new text begin The
Board of Animal Health may inspect and enforce this section and section 346.37 under the
inspection and enforcement authority granted for a violation of chapter 35.
new text end

Sec. 8. new text begin BOARD OF ANIMAL HEALTH; APPROPRIATION.
new text end

new text begin $....... in fiscal year 2014 and $....... in fiscal year 2015 are appropriated from the
general fund to the Board of Animal Health for duties under this act.
new text end

Sec. 9. new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE.
new text end

new text begin Sections 1 to 8 are effective the day following final enactment.
new text end