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Ohio Administrative Code (Last Updated: January 12, 2021) |
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901:1 Animal Industry |
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Chapter901:1-6. High Volume Dog Breeders |
901:1-6-02. Housing
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Unless otherwise specified, all housing for adult dogs and puppies kept by high volume breeders shall meet the minimum requirements listed in this rule.
(A) The housing facility shall be structurally sound and restrict the entry of other animals.
(B) The housing facility and primary enclosures shall be inspected daily and any defects shall be corrected as soon as possible.
(C) Each adult dog or puppy shall have access to and be housed in a primary enclosure which complies with the requirements of this rule.
(D) The primary enclosure shall:
(1) Provide each adult dog or puppy with at least the minimum amount of floor space, calculated as follows: the square of the length of the adult dog or puppy in inches, as measured from the tip of the nose to the base of the tail, plus six inches;
(2) Notwithstanding the space requirements as set forth in paragraph (D)(1) of this rule, the primary enclosure for the largest adult dog or puppy housed in a primary enclosure shall provide two times the amount of space required in paragraph (D)(1) of this rule;
(3) Provide a resting place that has a solid floor large enough to accommodate all adult dogs and puppies in the primary enclosure at the same time and a partial or complete visual barrier. The solid flooring may be removable for cleaning purposes;
(4) Have an interior height at least six inches higher than the head of the tallest adult dog or puppy in the primary enclosure when it is in a normal standing position;
(5) Have a floor that is of a sufficient grid density to preserve the normal mobility and muscle tone of the dog, and does not:
(a) Sag;
(b) Bend; or,
(c) Bounce.
(E) Open metal floors in primary enclosures shall be coated with a protective coating, and such coating may include but is not limited to plastic, fiberglass, or rubber.
(F) Primary enclosures shall be positioned or protected in the housing facility so that dogs are not soiled by fecal matter or urine from above.
(G) Existing facilities may continue to use primary enclosures in use on the effective date of this rule that do not meet the space requirements of paragraph (D) of this rule.
(H) After December 31, 2016, all primary enclosures shall comply with paragraph (D) of this rule.
(I) In the case of a catastrophic event, including but not limited to fire, flood, wind, or building collapse, any existing facility (including primary enclosures) may be replaced by new construction or repair that duplicates or exceeds the previous construction standards and size of the previous existing facility. After December 31, 2016, all existing facilities must comply with paragraph (D) of this rule.
(J) In any event where the existing facility's license to operate as a high volume breeder as defined in (A)(1) of Sec. 956.04 of the Revised Code is not legally transferred by the Ohio department of agriculture to the existing facility's new owner, that housing facility shall meet the primary enclosure space requirements in paragraph (D) of this rule.
(K) Floors in outside sheltered runs or outdoor housing which are made of absorbent bedding, sand, gravel, grass, or other similar material shall be raked or cleaned at least weekly.
(L) Temperature, ventilation and lighting shall provide for the health and welfare of the dog by the following:
(1) If climatic or ambient temperatures pose a threat to the health and welfare of the adult dog or puppy, measures shall be taken to regulate the temperature to eliminate the threat. The dog's age, species, breed, overall health and acclimation to the environment shall be taken into consideration;
(2) Dry bedding or other methods of conserving body heat shall be provided when temperatures are below 50° F;
(3) Ventilation shall minimize drafts, odors, dust, ammonia levels, and moisture condensation;
(4) Lighting shall be uniformly diffused throughout the housing facility and provide normal day and night variations by natural or artificial source; and,
(5) Light intensity shall be sufficient for observation and cleaning.
(M) Indoor housing facilities shall:
(1) Constitute an enclosure created by the continuous connection of a roof, walls, floor, and foundation;
(2) Be sufficiently heated and cooled when necessary to protect the dogs from temperature or humidity extremes and to provide for their health and welfare;
(3) Have at least one door for entry and exit that can be opened and closed, and windows to provide natural light which shall be covered with a transparent material such as glass or hard plastic; and,
(4) If equipped with doors and windows that open, they shall be screened to minimize fly infestations.
(N) Sheltered housing facilities shall meet the following requirements:
(1) The sheltered part of the housing facility shall be ventilated by windows, doors, vents, fans; a combination of these; or by air conditioning;
(2) The sheltered part of the housing facility shall be sufficiently heated and cooled when necessary to protect the dogs from temperature or humidity extremes to provide for their health and welfare; and,
(3) Outdoor runs shall offer protection from direct sunlight.
(O) Outdoor housing facilities shall:
(1) Include one or more shelter structures that protect adult dogs or puppies from the natural elements and are accessible to each adult dog or puppy in each outdoor facility; and,
(2) Have shelters that are large enough to allow each adult dog or puppy in the shelter structure to sit, stand, and lie in a normal manner, and to turn about freely.
(P) Outdoor housing cannot be used for dogs that cannot tolerate the prevalent temperatures without stress or discomfort, such as short haired breeds, sick, aged or young dogs that are not acclimated.
(Q) Whelping areas shall be provided for all female adult dogs with litters and which meet the following requirements:
(1) Allows the female to lie fully recumbent, stand, turn around and have freedom of position and movement;
(2) Contains all puppies during whelping;
(3) Provides some form of solid flooring;
(4) Provides insulation or heat source to prevent dissipation of heat from the whelping area so that all puppies are able to maintain appropriate body temperature;
(5) Provides the dam and the puppies daily positive physical contact with people; and,
(6) In addition to the minimum space requirement in paragraph (D)(1) of this rule, each female with nursing puppies shall be provided a minimum of five percent additional amount of floor space for each puppy. The attending veterinarian may require more floor space as necessary.
(R) Storage areas shall be designed and maintained to protect medicines, bedding or other supplies from deterioration, contamination and vermin infestations.
(S) Fecal and food waste shall be removed from inside and under the primary enclosures daily.
(T) Hard surfaces with which the adult dogs or puppies come into contact with shall be cleaned daily and disinfected a minimum of once every two weeks with a cleaning solution safe for adult dogs or puppies.
(U) Housing facilities shall be equipped with disposal facilities and drainage systems that are constructed and operated so that fecal waste, urine and water are rapidly eliminated from primary enclosures and adult dogs or puppies stay dry.
(V) Permanent tethering of adults dogs or puppies to any object is prohibited for use as primary enclosure.
(W) Adult dogs or puppies that are housed in the same primary enclosure shall be compatible with the following restrictions:
(1) Females in heat (estrus) shall not be housed in the same primary enclosure with males, except for breeding purposes;
(2) Any adult dog or puppy exhibiting a vicious or overly aggressive disposition shall be housed separately;
(3) The introduction of a new adult dog or puppy to an existing group of adult dogs or puppies housed together in the same facility or primary enclosure shall be done in a manner to minimize distress and aggression.
(4) Puppies 4 months of age or less may not be housed in the same primary enclosure with adult dogs other than their dams or foster dams.
(X) An effective program for the control of insects, external parasites affecting adult dogs or puppies, and birds and mammals that are pests shall be established and maintained in the housing facility and primary enclosures.
(Y) Each housing facility shall have a contingency plan in case of emergencies, including but not limited to wind, fire, flood, or building collapse.