The Canine Legislation department acted on an unprecedented 450 bills and ordinances that would affect the rights of dog owners.

The department posted several important victories at the state and local levels, including the defeat of a proposed ear-cropping ban in California, and breeding-restriction bills in North Carolina, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Virginia, and Oklahoma.

Canine Legislation staff hosted the highly successful Lobby Day in Washington, D.C.

The event gave key Legislative Liaisons from around the country an opportunity to network, expand their lobbying skills, and learn more about the AKC federal legislative and regulatory agenda. Fanciers and their legislators held many positive meetings, raising congressional awareness of AKC, the purebred dog fancy, and our legislative concerns.

The AKC agenda was advanced in significant ways:

• The department staved off further advancement of the so-called Puppy Protection Act;
• The Department of Agriculture expanded enforcement of its regulations pertaining to air transport of live animals. The regulations now apply to foreign carriers, assuring that they comply with the same high safety standards that U.S. carriers uphold;
• The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service issued its long-awaited final rule strengthening enforcement of the existing federal Animal Welfare Act.

Canine Legislation cosponsored the Pet Night reception on Capitol Hill for Members of Congress, and mingled with nearly 12,000 elected officials at the National Conference of State Legislators and the National Association of Counties.

In 2004, the department began an extensive initiative to monitor nearly 500 national wildlife refuges concerning their accessibility to dogs. The refuges have begun planning that could affect their availability for dog sports, or even walking a dog.

Other activities for 2004: the launch of the electronic Taking Command newsletter; the creation of several new information brochures, including the “Preserve Your Rights as a Dog Owner”; hosting two Empowered Action Seminars; and participating in canine legislation conferences, such as the legislative symposium hosted by The Kennel Club (England).