Nebraska § 54-641.01 - Commercial dog breeder; dogs; opportunity for exercise.

§ 54-641.01. Commercial dog breeder; dogs; opportunity for exercise.

(1) A commercial dog breeder shall provide dogs with the opportunity for exercise as follows:

(a) A primary enclosure shall have an entry that allows each dog unfettered access to an exercise area that is at least three times the size of the requirements for a primary enclosure. The entry may be closed during cleaning, under direction of a licensed veterinarian, or in the case of inclement weather. The exercise area shall have solid surface flooring or a flooring material that if of mesh or slatted construction does not allow the dog's feet to pass through any openings in the floor. Any exercise area suspended floor constructed of metal strands shall be required to have strands that are greater than one-eighth of an inch in diameter (nine gauge) or coated with a material such as plastic or fiberglass. All suspended flooring shall be strong enough so as not to sag or bend between any structural supports and be of a surface that is easily cleaned and disinfected. The exercise area shall have protection available from wind, rain, and snow if access to the primary enclosure is unavailable; and

(b) Any dog not housed in a primary enclosure that meets the exercise area requirements of subdivision (a) of this subsection shall be provided with the opportunity for exercise according to a plan approved by the attending veterinarian, in writing. The opportunity for exercise shall be accomplished by:

(i) Providing access to a run or open area at a frequency and duration prescribed by the attending veterinarian; or

(ii) Removal of the dogs from the primary enclosure at least twice daily to be walked, allowed to move about freely in an open area, or placed in an exercise area that meets the requirements of subdivision (a) of this subsection.

(2) Subsection (1) of this section shall not apply to:

(a) Any dog that is less than six months of age;

(b) The primary enclosure of a nursing facility that houses any female dog that is due to give birth within the following two weeks or a nursing dog and her puppies;

(c) Any dog that is injured or displays any clinical signs of disease. In such case, any injury or clinical signs of disease shall be noted in the dog's health records and the dog shall be returned to exercise upon recovery from such injury or disease; or

(d) Any dog that is excluded from the exercise requirements of subsection (1) of this section pursuant to a written directive of a licensed veterinarian.

(3) Any primary enclosure newly constructed after October 1, 2012, shall comply with subdivision (1)(a) of this section. A primary enclosure in existence on October 1, 2012, shall not be required to comply with subdivision (1)(a) of this section for the life of such facility.