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   September / October 2006

Editor's Note
The AKC Canine Legislation Department recently conducted its fourth annual Lobby Day in Washington, D.C. Participants from Massachusetts to California arrived in the nation’s capitol ready for a full day of lobbying training followed by a networking dinner. The second day of Lobby Day provided attendees a trip to Capitol Hill to visit with their Senators, members of the House of Representatives, and congressional staff. Lobby Day participants uniformly applauded the opportunity to visit the nation’s capitol to represent the issues of responsible dog owners and the AKC at the federal level. See additional details of Lobby Day 2006 here.

The Canine Legislation Department’s outreach to the fancy continues with three Legislative Empowerment Seminars scheduled before year’s end. Canine Legislation Department Manager Sarah Sprouse will conduct a seminar in conjunction with the Del Valle shows in Pleasanton, CA on Saturday, October 21st. As a native Californian and a veteran of eight years as a staff member in the California legislature, Sarah possesses the expertise to provide the necessary training to favorably impact the outcomes of pending local and state canine legislation initiatives in California.

In conjunction with the AKC/Eukanuba National Championship show in Long Beach, CA, the Canine Legislation Department Director will conduct training of AKC club officers, legislative liaisons, and concerned dog owners in the southern California region on Friday, December 1st.. The final Legislative Empowerment Seminar for the year moves to Boston, MA at the Bay Colony Cluster shows as Canine Legislation Department staff meets with New England dog fanciers on Friday, December 8th. If you will be attending any of these three events, please plan on participating in the Legislative Empowerment Seminars. For further information about the seminars, or to register for participation in the seminars, please contact the Canine Legislation Department at doglaw@akc.org or 919.816.3720.

Walt Bebout



Congress Passes AKC-Supported Version of 'PETS' Bill
The U.S. Senate and House of Representatives passed by unanimous consent the “Pets Evacuation and Transportation Standards Act of 2006,” known as “PETS.” PETS addresses the problems experienced by pet owners before, during and after the 2005 hurricane season. The enacted bill includes the stronger Senate language -- which the AKC supported and lobbied for-- rather than the weaker House version of the bill. The bill now goes to the President, who is expected to sign it.

Read the full article.



Around the Nation: Legislation That Affects You
ALABAMA – The City of Montgomery is considering revisions to their dangerous dog ordinance. AKC has sent the mayor and city council letters encouraging them to pursue a fair, enforceable dangerous dog ordinance. Local dog club members are organizing to fight breed-specific legislation and have presented AKC dangerous dog packets, containing model dangerous dog ordinances, to the members of the city council.

See news from other states.



AKC Conducts Outreach to Legislators
Every year the AKC Canine Legislation Department attends two legislative conferences to meet with legislators and their staff and educate them about issues important to dog owners. The conferences allow staff to highlight the legislative and public education materials that AKC provides, as well as establishing the American Kennel Club as the primary resource for legislators on canine legislative issues.

Read the full article.


Walter R. Bebout, Director
Sarah Sprouse, Manager
Phone: 919-816-3720 | Fax: 919-816-4275 | Email: doglaw@akc.org

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