CALIFORNIA – The San Jose Animal Advisory Committee is proposing changes to the animal control ordinance that would require all dogs and cats to be spayed or neutered and to restrict where animals can be sold. A copy of the draft proposal has not yet been made available to the public, although the San Jose Animal Care and Services division states that the mandatory spay/neuter provisions will not apply to qualified competition animals. The Canine Legislation Department has sent materials to concerned dog owners and will be working with the city council members once a draft is available. Local fanciers and dog owners are encouraged to contact their representative on the city council and educate them about the rights and benefits of responsible breeding programs. The measure is expected to go before the San Jose City Council in January of 2007.

- The Sacramento County Board of Supervisors is in the process of forming a task force to consider alternatives to a $150 intact animal fee. The supervisors intend to bring a new proposal back in January. AKC thanks the fanciers and concerned dog owners who worked hard to convince the supervisors that these types of breeding restrictions are unfair to responsible owners and breeders. Residents should continue to contact their member of the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors and ask him/her to oppose any measure that penalizes responsible breeders. For further information, please contact the Sacramento Council of Dog Clubs at jgrcorgis@aol.com.

- The Kern County Board of Supervisors has directed the Kern County Animal Control Commission to review a proposal from the Taxpayers for Responsible & Ethical Animal Treatment and the Animal Friends Rescue Project which includes mandatory spay/neuter. The Canine Legislation Department is working with local fanciers and concerned dog owners to inform both the animal control commission and the board of supervisors about the ineffectiveness of mandatory spay/neuter.  The Canine Legislation Department  encourages the county to invest in educating residents about responsible animal ownership and will provide our public education materials to assist them in this endeavor.

COLORADO – On a 4-3 vote the La Junta City Council has approved a breed-specific ordinance that bans all “pit bulls,” defined as American Pit Bull Terriers, American Staffordshire Terriers, Staffordshire Bull Terriers, or any dog displaying the majority of physical traits of these breeds. Dogs of these breeds already in the city are allowed to stay, but the dog must be registered with the city and the owner must comply with a host of restrictive regulations. AKC sent a letter opposing breed-specific ordinances as well as a packet containing examples of fair, enforceable dangerous dog ordinances.

FLORIDA – The City of Coral Springs has unanimously voted NOT to forward a resolution to the Broward County Legislative Delegation asking them to support a repeal of a state law that prohibits local governments from enacting breed-specific legislation. Responsible dog owners attended the October 17th meeting of the city council and convinced commissioners to rescind the resolution. The Canine Legislation Department sent a letter to the city commission and thanks local dog owners for their hard work in defeating this resolution.

INDIANA – The American Kennel Club applauds the Indianapolis City-County Council for their passage of a stronger dangerous dog law and a new leash law. The Rules and Public Policy Committee deserves much of the credit as they worked with fanciers and concerned dog owners to avoid breed-specific legislation and a mandatory spay/neuter proposal. The committee members spent countless hours working with dog owning constituents to ensure that the council moved forward with a reasonable, enforceable measure that would benefit the whole community and protect responsible owners.

- St. Joseph County is beginning a process to consider changes to the animal control ordinance. The current draft includes breed-specific provisions, a $100 permit for animal exhibitions such as dog shows, and major and minor breeder’s permits. The proposal would deem “pit bulls,” defined as American Pit Bull Terriers, American Staffordshire Terriers or Staffordshire Bull Terriers, to be dangerous animals and would be required to wear a muzzle when off the owner’s property as well as housed in a specified manner. The measure also includes numerous fee and permit changes. County officials expect that there will be several opportunities for public comment and involvement as the proposal moves forward. Please monitor the AKC website for updates.

KANSAS – The City of Manhattan is considering a breed-specific ordinance that would regulate the ownership of certain breeds including American Staffordshire Terriers, Bull Terriers, Staffordshire Bull Terriers, Rottweilers, Dobermans, and Chow Chows. The American Kennel Club has sent a letter opposing breed-specific legislation to the city council members. The Manhattan Kansas Kennel will be distributing copies of the dangerous dog packet to city council members. For more information please contact the Manhattan Kansas Kennel Club at agilitydog1@netzero.net.

KENTUCKY – The City of Louisville continues to consider breed-specific legislation, a limit law and restrictions on breeders and dog owners. The proposal will be discussed at the next meeting of the Government Administration, Rules, Ethics and Audit Committee on November 28th. The Louisville Kennel Club is asking fanciers who have attended the Kentuckiana Cluster shows to contact Metro Council officials and advise them as to how the adoption of this ordinance would affect their decision to attend the cluster in the future. For more information about the situation in Louisville and how you can help, please read our Legislative Alert.

- The City of Corinth has pulled a proposed breed-specific ordinance which would have deemed Rottweilers, “Bull Mastiffs”, and “pit bulls,” defined as American Pit Bull Terriers, Staffordshire Bull Terriers, American Staffordshire Terriers and any mixed breed dog containing any of the breeds, to be vicious dogs and would have banned them from the city. The city council is now considering a generic dangerous dog law. Congratulations to the fanciers who worked hard to promote a reasonable and enforceable dangerous dog law.

MASSACHUSETTS – The City of Gloucester has rejected a proposed breed-specific ordinance but they have not yet decided what they will do to improve animal control and improve public safety. The Canine Legislation Department sent a letter encouraging the city council to reject a breed-specific ordinance in favor of a strong dangerous dog law.

- After an outcry from local dog owners the Leominister City Council voted to repeal a ban on dogs at civic events such as festivals and parades. Responsible dog owners believed that the measure targeted them unfairly and the city council has agreed to work with the police chief to make sure that officers are enforcing the existing laws during these special events.

MISSOURI – The City of Independence adopted an ordinance earlier this year which declared “pit bulls,” defined as Bull Terriers, Staffordshire Bull Terriers, American Pit Bull Terriers, American Staffordshire Terriers and mixed breed dogs with similar characteristics to be dangerous dogs. The council has now approved an amendment which exempts purebred dogs of these breeds which have been registered with the American Kennel Club or the United Kennel Club. The AKC Canine Legislation Department worked to oppose the initial breed specific proposal and sent packets to local concerned dog owners and a letter to the city council members.

- University City has agreed to form a citizen’s commission to review the city’s existing breed-specific ordinance which bans “pit bulls,” defined as Bull Terriers, Staffordshire Bull Terriers, American Pit Bull Terriers, and any dog with similar characteristics. Local fanciers and concerned dog owners are encouraged to contact the mayor and their representative on the city council and voice support for repealing the existing ordinance and establishing a strong, enforceable dangerous dog ordinance.

- The Raytown City Council will be hosting a meeting on proposed changes to the city’s animal control ordinance on November 28th at 7pm in the Raytown Town Hall. Discussion will focus on the possible adoption of a breed ban. The Canine Legislation Department has provided local fanciers with dangerous dog information packets and local dog owners are asked to encourage their city council member to support non-breed-specific improvements to the city’s ordinance.

- The Grain Valley Board of Aldermen continues to consider a proposal to limit the number of animals allowed at a residence and possible breed restrictions. The Canine Legislation Department has sent a letter to the board encouraging them to reject both breed-specific legislation and a limit law in favor of a nuisance ordinance and a dangerous dog ordinance.

- The Lee’s Summit City Council has rejected breed-specific legislation, but is now considering a mandatory spay/neuter ordinance. The council will be holding a public meeting on the issue, but it has not yet been scheduled. The Canine Legislation Department sent local fanciers material on the ineffectiveness of breed-specific legislation and will be working with local dog owners to oppose the mandatory spay/neuter proposal.

NEW HAMPSHIRE – Rep. Gillick has prefiled LSR 213, a measure to exclude a municipality’s list of registered dogs from the right-to-know law. The measure will be eligible for consideration in the 2007 session.

NEW JERSEY – Asm. Van Drew is sponsoring A3542, a bill to require animals returned to their owners from shelters be sterilized, even on a first offense unless the owner can prove they have been active in AKC activities. The bill also increases the surcharge for an unsterilized dog from $3 to $20, eliminates the range for dog licenses fees established by municipal ordinance provided under current law, and increases the dog license fee to $10, whether set by ordinance or if no ordinance exists. The effect of these increases is that licensing an unsterilized dog would cost $30 per year and the license would have to be applied for each year, and the license for a sterilized dog would be $10 per year and could be applied for every two years, instead of each year. Monies raised would be put in to a “Cat and Dog Sterilization Fund” to fund the sterilizations required by the bill. A3542 has been referred to the Assembly Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources.

- Sen. Lance is sponsoring S2246, a bill that will require the court to issue an animal protective order against persons found guilty of abusing animals. S2246 has been referred to the Senate Committee on Economic Growth.

To find out how you can get involved in legislation in New Jersey, please contact the New Jersey Federation of Dog Clubs at taborgsp@verizon.net.

NORTH CAROLINA – Watauga County will be holding a public meeting on proposed changes to the animal control ordinance on Tuesday, November 21st. Proposed changes include restrictions on tethering, adoption of a public nuisance clause and a requirement that all animals display their rabies tag and have either an identification tag with the owner’s contact information or are implanted with a microchip. The bill also requires animal control to take in to account certain factors when making a dangerous dog determination. These include the presence of a potential victim such an elderly person, a child or handicapped individual and allows the officers to base their decision on whether the dog is a member of a breed with “vicious tendencies” such as “Bulldog, Bull Terrier, Doberman Pinscher, Rottweiler, Pit Bull or other dog of known vicious tendencies.” Concerned fanciers and dog owners are encouraged to attend the meeting.

OHIO – HB 606, introduced by Rep. Jim Hughes, would amend state law to create a commercial dog kennel control authority to license and inspect the facilities of dog breeders. Due to opposition from several involved parties, Rep. Hughes has stated that he will not move the bill in its current form. The Canine Legislation Department will continue to monitor this bill and will provide updates as they become available. For additional information about this bill, please contact the Ohio Valley Dog Owners Association at ovdogo@canismajor.com and read our Legislative Alert.

PENNSYLVANIA – Governor Ed Rendell’s announcement of proposed changes to kennel regulations governing the housing and breeding of dogs requires the active involvement of purebred dog fanciers to assure that the right to own and breed dogs responsibly is protected. While the details of Rendell’s proposal have not been publicly released, his comments to the broadcast and print media suggest that the standards of care for the housing, maintenance, and socialization of dogs would establish unreasonable criteria if imposed on the responsible dog fancier. The Pennsylvania Federation of Dog Clubs and the Canine Legislation Department will monitor the development of the Governor’s proposals and notify the fancy of upcoming Dog Law Advisory Board meetings and public comment periods.

- Rep. Dinniman is sponsoring S1379, a bill which would extend an order of protection to any animals owned by the protectee. The bill would make it a third degree felony if the order is violated. The measure has been referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee.

TEXAS – The De Soto city council is hosting a forum on December 7th to discuss the possibility of banning certain dog breeds from the city limits. The Canine Legislation Department has sent materials to local fanciers and has sent a letter to the city council opposing adoption of a breed-specific ordinance. Local fanciers and encouraged to contact their representative on the city council and to attend the December 7th meeting.

WASHINGTON – The City of Tacoma has tentatively scheduled a public hearing for December 12th on changes to the animal control ordinance including mandatory spay/neuter of dogs. A final public notice will be posted on the city’s website and will list the time and location. The proposal would require owners of intact animals to purchase a breeder’s permit, regardless of whether they intend to breed the animal or not, in addition to the existing $55 intact animal license fee. The cost of the breeder’s permit has not been established. The measure would also require any animal at-large to be spayed or neutered, even on a first offense. The Canine Legislation Department will post updates as they become available.