Pennsylvania's dog laws are having an effect, said Jessie L. Smith, special deputy secretary for the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture's Bureau of Dog Law Enforcement.

So much so that Lancaster County's reign as the state's "puppy mill" capital may be ending.

Of the 134 commercial dog kennels licensed by the state in Lancaster County at the beginning of 2009, 14 have closed and another 33 plan to close by the end of the year — a full 35 percent of the total.

Many of those closing, Smith said, cite Pennsylvania's new statutes, which took effect Oct. 9 and require kennels to increase cage size, provide exercise and regular veterinary care and more.

In addition, she said that since the beginning of 2007 the state has revoked or refused 15 kennel licenses in Lancaster County, and forced another kennel — CC Pets LLC, formerly known as Puppy Love, in Peach Bottom — to close.

Even after all the closures, Lancaster County kennels account for just under a third of the state's 294 licensed kennels.

Despite protests from some animal activists that the state is being too lenient with breeders — nearly two-thirds have asked for a waiver of up to three years from the new rules — Smith insisted the new laws have made a tremendous difference.

"Pennsylvania has gone from having regulations that were kind of vague to being a leader in the country," she said.

"It's a huge change."