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119-hr-10523119th CongressWALLET

PUPPS Act

Sponsored By: Representative Mace, Nancy [R-SC-1]

Introduced

Summary

A nationwide ban on breeding dogs specifically for research. It would also bar selling or otherwise providing dogs known to have been bred for research, attach civil penalties per dog, and require adoption options for dogs already in possession of research entities.

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  • Research institutions and laboratories would not be allowed to breed, acquire, or use dogs that they know were bred for research. The Secretary of Agriculture could refuse, suspend, or revoke licenses or registrations that permit those activities.
  • Commercial breeders and dealers would be banned from selling, transporting, brokering, or otherwise commercializing dogs for research. Violations carry penalties up to $10,000 per dog and higher fines for repeat violations.
  • Dogs already held for research could not be euthanized solely because of the law and must be offered for adoption to an individual or an animal rescue organization designated by the Secretary of Agriculture.
  • The Secretary of Agriculture would have 180 days after enactment to issue or revise regulations to implement the ban and related changes.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 2 costs, 1 mixed.

Import exception and agency rule deadline

The bill would require the Secretary to create a regulatory exception for dogs imported for veterinary treatment so those imports are not blocked by the cited requirement. It would also require the Agriculture Secretary to issue or revise rules needed to implement these changes within 180 days after enactment. The exception would ease some import rules for dogs needing medical care, and the rule deadline sets the agency's timeline.

Ban on breeding dogs for research

This bill would ban breeding dogs for research and would ban selling or otherwise providing dogs in commerce if they were bred for research. It would also bar getting or using a dog you know or have reason to know was bred for research. The bill would add clear definitions for words like "breed," "dog," and "research purposes" so the ban's scope is precise. These changes would take effect 180 days after enactment.

New fines and license risks for breeders

This bill would let the Agriculture Secretary fine people who violate the ban. Penalties could be up to $10,000 per dog for a violation and up to $40,000 per dog for a repeated violation. A single inspection, investigation, or complaint could not produce more than $500,000 in total penalties. The Secretary would also be barred from issuing or renewing licenses or accepting registrations that permit the banned activities and must suspend or revoke licenses that violate the ban. These rules would start 180 days after enactment.

Must offer research dogs for adoption

If enacted, the bill would stop people from euthanizing a dog solely because the law passed if the dog was bred for research and was in their possession on enactment. It would require those people to offer such dogs for adoption to an individual or to an animal rescue organization designated by the Secretary. This creates an obligation and operational cost for current holders while expanding adoption opportunities. These rules would take effect 180 days after enactment.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Mace, Nancy [R-SC-1]

SC • R

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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