Strict new legal requirements for kennel cage size and exercise and flooring standards that went into effect Oct. 9 will not require kennel upgrades by sporting dog owners or clubs. The new Pennsylvania law applies only to Class C commercial kennels that breed dogs and sell them to dealers or pet stores, or sell more than 60 dogs per year.

Early drafts of the law worried some hunters, hunting club organizers and the U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance of Columbus, Ohio, who feared an over-zealous interpretation of the anti-puppy mill legislation could have had unintended consequences for hunting dog owners and sporting groups that temporarily kennel dogs during field trials.

"We secured a number of amendments for sporting kennels," said Evan Heusinkveld, a lobbyist with the Sportsmen's Alliance. "With those protections passed, we're OK with the bill going through."

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