HB 865

Bill Subjects

Abstract

Authorizes any local governing body to adopt an ordinance that requires any pet shop selling dogs procured from outside the Commonwealth to furnish a bond of at least $5,000 if it maintains for sale an average of 50 or fewer dogs per year and not more than $30,000 if it maintains for sale an average of 51 or more dogs per year. The bill authorizes such a locality to reduce or waive the bond requirement at its discretion and to terminate the bond requirement for a pet shop that has operated without interruption for 10 years without having its bond called by the locality. The bill provides that if a pet shop ceases business operations, the locality shall have the right to call the bond and utilize the resulting funds as necessary to protect the welfare of the animals or fish from the shop.