INFORMATION
Canine Legislation
The Canine Legislation department acted on over 500 federal, state and municipal bills
and ordinances that would affect the rights of dog owners.
Staff launched a major federal legislative campaign in support of the Pet Animal Welfare Statute (PAWS).
The proposed law would strengthen the Animal Welfare Act to address such recent market trends as the importation of puppies for resale and the sale of purebred puppies and dogs online.
PAWS was introduced in May by Senator Rick Santorum (R-Pa.), co-sponsored by Senator Dick Durbin (D-Ill.). Representatives Jim Gerlah (R-Pa.) and Sam Farr (D-Calif.) introduced a similar bill in the House.
The AKC worked closely with national legislators to advance PAWS, believing it would protect hobby breeders and their dogs from oppressive regulation.
On November 8, AKC Chairman Ron Menaker testified before the Subcommittee on Research, Nutrition and General Legislation of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry.
The Chairman spoke in support of a modified PAWS presented by Senator Santorum. Changes, made with input from the fancy, included an additional exemption for breeders who sell dogs or cats only at retail and are in compliance with certified kennel inspection standards. Also, the revised bill allowed the option of a third-party compliance inspection.
AKC personnel and concerned fanciers visited Capitol Hill to meet with legislators and staff. Key agenda points included PAWS, open access to microchip animal identification, and access to air transport for dogs and their owners.
Lobby Day participants joined AKC staff at "Pet Night." Hosted by the Animal Health Institute, with the AKC as a co-sponsor, Pet Night is an annual reception where the fancy can mingle informally with more than 500 Members of Congress, their aides, and representatives from such co-sponsors as the American Veterinary Medical Association, American Animal Hospital Association, and Hartz.
The fancy scored important victories at the state level, including the defeat of a California bill that would have prohibited ear cropping; breed-specific bills in Georgia, Illinois, and Oklahoma; and breeding restrictions in Massachusetts, Vermont, and Virginia. Department staff represented the AKC at the National Conference of State Legislators and the National League of Cities meeting.
Canine Legislation maintains a list of 500 national wildlife refuges and monitors canine-access policies. Staff publishes the online newsletter "Taking Command," maintains the doglaw e-mail box, and posts alerts and breaking news at akc.org.
Staff launched a major federal legislative campaign in support of the Pet Animal Welfare Statute (PAWS).
The proposed law would strengthen the Animal Welfare Act to address such recent market trends as the importation of puppies for resale and the sale of purebred puppies and dogs online.
PAWS was introduced in May by Senator Rick Santorum (R-Pa.), co-sponsored by Senator Dick Durbin (D-Ill.). Representatives Jim Gerlah (R-Pa.) and Sam Farr (D-Calif.) introduced a similar bill in the House.
The AKC worked closely with national legislators to advance PAWS, believing it would protect hobby breeders and their dogs from oppressive regulation.
On November 8, AKC Chairman Ron Menaker testified before the Subcommittee on Research, Nutrition and General Legislation of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry.
The Chairman spoke in support of a modified PAWS presented by Senator Santorum. Changes, made with input from the fancy, included an additional exemption for breeders who sell dogs or cats only at retail and are in compliance with certified kennel inspection standards. Also, the revised bill allowed the option of a third-party compliance inspection.
AKC personnel and concerned fanciers visited Capitol Hill to meet with legislators and staff. Key agenda points included PAWS, open access to microchip animal identification, and access to air transport for dogs and their owners.
Lobby Day participants joined AKC staff at "Pet Night." Hosted by the Animal Health Institute, with the AKC as a co-sponsor, Pet Night is an annual reception where the fancy can mingle informally with more than 500 Members of Congress, their aides, and representatives from such co-sponsors as the American Veterinary Medical Association, American Animal Hospital Association, and Hartz.
The fancy scored important victories at the state level, including the defeat of a California bill that would have prohibited ear cropping; breed-specific bills in Georgia, Illinois, and Oklahoma; and breeding restrictions in Massachusetts, Vermont, and Virginia. Department staff represented the AKC at the National Conference of State Legislators and the National League of Cities meeting.
Canine Legislation maintains a list of 500 national wildlife refuges and monitors canine-access policies. Staff publishes the online newsletter "Taking Command," maintains the doglaw e-mail box, and posts alerts and breaking news at akc.org.
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