(A) Requirements. Commercial dog breeders must develop, document, and follow an appropriate plan to provide dogs with the opportunity for exercise. The plan must be in writing. An attending veterinarian must determine the frequency, method, and duration of the opportunity for exercise, and approve in writing the entire plan. A commercial dog breeder is required to provide every dog with a reasonable opportunity for exercise outside of a cage at least one time per day. The opportunity for exercise must be outside the animal’s primary enclosure. But, if a dog has access to a run that is connected to the animal’s primary enclosure or if the animal’s primary enclosure includes a run, and the run meets the requirements below, it is not necessary to remove the animal from the primary enclosure for exercise. An exercise run must meet the following requirements.
(1) The floor space of the run must be at least as big as the following:
(a) For dogs housed individually, an area that is two times the minimum required floor space for that dog; and
(b) For dogs housed in groups, an area that is equal to or greater than the sum of the minimum required floor space for each dog if housed individually.
(2) Forced exercise methods or devices, such as swimming or treadmills, may not be used to meet the exercise requirement.
(B) Exemptions. A commercial dog breeder is not required to provide a dog with the opportunity for exercise if exercise would endanger the dog’s life or health. If the attending veterinarian determines that any dog should not be provided an opportunity for exercise, the commercial dog breeder does not have to provide an opportunity for exercise for that dog. The veterinarian’s determination must be in writing and reviewed at least every 30 days.
(Ord. 2018-6, passed 3-20-2018) Penalty, see § 111.99