Although most state legislatures have adjourned, many municipalities are still considering ordinances that could affect your rights as dog owners. If you hear of an issue in your town or county, contact us at (919) 816-3720 or doglaw@akc.org. We will be happy to provide you with the resources, tools, and support you need to help fight for responsible dog ownership in your community. Here are some examples of the approximately 100 local issues we are monitoring:

Mandatory Spay/Neuter
New Orleans, LA – The City of New Orleans is expected to vote on a mandatory spay/neuter proposal on November 5. The proposal requires dog owners to have all dogs spayed or neutered by six months of age, or obtain a breeders permit. The proposal also seeks to limit female dogs from producing more than one litter per year, and makes it illegal to breed a female dog that is younger than 18 months of age. The AKC has worked closely with local clubs and dog owners to defeat it. Visit the Government Relations Legislative Alerts web page for the latest information.

Las Vegas, NV – The Las Vegas City Council has designated a committee to review a proposed mandatory spay/neuter ordinance for all dogs and cats over 4 months of age with few exceptions. The AKC encourages all local fanciers and breeders to contact the council and express opposition to this proposal.

Johnson City, TN – The Johnson City Commission is hearing a presentation from local animal shelters on November 5 that is expected to include a mandatory spay/neuter proposal. No proposal draft is currently available. The AKC has notified local clubs, AKC officials, and breeders of this hearing and will continue to monitor this issue.

Moorhead, MN – Moorhead City Councilmember Greg Lemke made a presentation to the city council encouraging adoption of ordinances that prohibit ear cropping and tail docking, mandate spaying/neutering of dogs, restrict tethering, ban loose dogs in pick up trucks and prohibit roadside pet sales. There is not a proposed draft of changes. The AKC GR department provided council members and the mayor with information on these issues and urged them to work with local, responsible breeders and owners to draft legislation that will positively impact animal control issues in their community.

Pomona, CA – The Pomona City Council has asked its staff to prepare a draft of a mandatory spay/neuter ordinance for their review. The AKC contacted local delegates, judges, club officers and breeders and asked them to monitor the issue. A group of local dog owners attended the October 5th council meeting and spoke about why mandatory spay/neuter ordinances are ineffective and have not been successful in other communities.

Breeding Restrictions
Jackson, TN – The Jackson City Council rejected an animal control proposal that included mandatory spay/neuter and other ownership restrictions by a vote of 5-4 on November 3. The AKC supported the work of local fanciers and breeders by sending a letter opposing the changes and notifying local clubs and breeders of the proposed laws. The AKC congratulates the local concerned dog owners who attending the hearing and fought against the proposal.

Kern County, CA - The Kern County Animal Control Department will host several public workshops to allow comment on proposed revisions to the county’s animal control regulations. Proposed changes include a requirement that animals be sterilized if they are impounded three times, increased license fees for intact dogs, definitions and inspections for commercial and noncommercial animal facilities (as well as rescues and animal sanctuaries), higher fees for establishments maintaining intact animals, and changes to the animal care requirements. The AKC GR department has contacted local delegates, judges, club officers and breeders and asked them to attend these meetings.

Lewis County, WA – The Lewis County Commission is considering a limit law to address recent problems with hoarding and is also exploring the possibility of kennel and breeder regulations. The commissioners have expressed a desire to work with local responsible breeders to draft an ordinance that does not negatively impact them. The AKC GR department has sent an email to our local delegates, judges, club officers and breeders encouraging them to offer their expertise and become involved in the drafting process.

Los Angeles, CA –The Los Angeles County Regional Planning Board unanimously rejected a proposal that would have redefined dog kennels and would have led to the end of dog breeding at kennel facilities. The AKC congratulates all the kennel operators, concerned breeders and responsible dog owners who worked hard to educate the commissioners about these issues.

Limit Laws
Highland, IL – The Highland City Council is considering an ordinance which would limit the number of dogs and cats that residents may own. The AKC has sent a letter explaining why limit laws are ineffective and has alerted local AKC fanciers to the proposal.

Breed-Specific Legislation
Numerous cities are considering breed-specific ordinances:

Auburn, CA - City Councilmember Kevin Hanley has asked city staff to consider placing a breed-specific ordinance relating to "pit bulls" on a future agenda. There is not currently a draft or a vote scheduled. The AKC Government Relations Department has sent a letter to city officials informing them about the California state restrictions on breed-specific ordinances and educating them about the ineffectiveness of restrictions based on breed.

Bothell, WA – The City of Bothell is considering placing restrictions on "pit bulls" (it is unclear which breeds would be included in this definition) and possibly other breeds they deem dangerous. A draft ordinance has not yet been written. The city plans to hold two additional public hearings on this issue, but has not yet announced the date and time for those meetings. The AKC Government Relations Department has encouraged local responsible dog owners and breeders to get involved in the drafting process.

Dandridge, TN – The Dandridge Board of Aldermen has rejected a proposed breed-specific ordinance and is working to draft an effective dangerous dog law. The AKC has sent a letter thanking the aldermen for not enacting BSL and has provided sample dangerous dog legislation.

Elgin, IL – The Elgin City Council continues to consider the best way to address dangerous dogs. It is not yet clear if the city will consider an ordinance with breed restrictions. The Anderson Animal Shelter sent a representative to the October 28th city council meeting to advocate against breed-specific restrictions and to encourage the city to establish a taskforce on canine aggression. The AKC sent a letter opposing breed-specific ordinances and provided the city council with sample dangerous dog ordinances. Local responsible dog owners and breeders are encouraged to contact the city council and oppose any language which bans or restricts ownership of specific breeds.

Elyria, OH – The Elyria City Council is considering adopting restrictions on "pit bulls”, but no specific language is currently available. The AKC Government Relations staff has sent a letter to the city council urging them to adopt a dangerous dog ordinance that is based on a dog's deeds, not its breed.

Elkhart, IN - The Elkhart City Council has created a 9-member task force to consider a proposal that would make it illegal to own “pit bulls”, including American Staffordshire Terriers, Staffordshire Bull Terriers and American Pit Bull Terriers. Dogs of these breeds already residing in the city would be allowed to stay if the owner purchases a $75 vicious dog license, provides proof of $300,000 in liability insurance, has the dog tattooed or microchipped, and leashes and muzzles the dog any time it is off the owner's property. The ordinance would also limit ownership to no more than 4 adult dogs, cats or other animals in one residence and contain new broad regulations regarding “public nuisance” animals. The AKC Government Relations staff has written the Mayor and city council members letter opposing the changes and notified local AKC club officers and judges. The AKC has also sent information, including positive alternatives to BSL, to concerned local fanciers and dog owners.

Hampton, NE –The Hampton Village Board of Trustees is considering an ordinance to ban or restrict ownership of specific dog breeds. A draft of the proposal is not yet available. The AKC has sent letters to the trustees expressing opposition to breed specific legislation and provided them with packets containing examples of effective dangerous dog ordinances.

Mashpee, MA – On October 19, the citizens of Mashpee defeated a proposed ordinance that would have mandated the sterilization and possible euthanasia of “pit bulls”. The Mashpee Board of Selectmen had already voted against the proposal. The AKC worked with the Massachusetts Federation of Dog Clubs and Responsible Dog Owners to support the extensive work of concerned local dog owners and submitted a letter to be read at the Town Meeting.