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Connecticut Senate Bill 1002 is scheduled to be heard by the Joint Government Administration and Elections Committee on Monday, March 20.  The bill seeks to:

  • Honor purebred dogs and their breeders by naming May 1 of each year as Purebred Dog Day in Connecticut. 
  • Honor federal, state, and local law enforcement K9 Corps units and their service to our local communities, state, and country by naming March 13 of each year as National K9 Veterans’ Day. 

The American Kennel Club (AKC) is proud to support Senate Bill 1002, and encourages all Connecticut residents to contact the members of the Joint Government Administration and Elections Committee and express support of Senate Bill 1002. 

ABOUT PUREBRED DOG DAY:  The American Kennel Club strongly supports Purebred Dog Day as part of its goal of preserving the future of purebred dogs and advancing and the health and wellbeing of all dogs.  The AKC honors purebred dog breeders whose commitment, vision and high standards have developed, sustain, and continue to advance purebred dogs as unequaled family and working companions.  Purebred dogs exhibit consistency in size, appearance, temperament and instincts. This enables prospective owners to choose a puppy that fits their particular lifestyle and increases the likelihood of a long, successful lifetime in that home.  The AKC is proud to advocate for purebred dogs, breeding for type and function, the sport of purebred dogs, and for breeders who are committed to the health and wellbeing of dogs and preserving their unique breeds.  We invite you to join us in celebrating the pride, predictability, purpose, and preservation of these dogs that have done so much to enhance our lives by supporting Senate Bill 1002. 

ABOUT NATIONAL K9 VETERANS’ DAY:  The idea of a K9 Veterans Day originated with a retired military working dog trainer named Joseph Wright who wanted recognition for dogs who serve in military, law enforcement and other capacities. He selected March 13th because it is the official birthday of the US Army K9 Corps. 

K9 Veterans Day is intended to honor military dogs as well as those working with police, customs, border patrol, service, therapy and other working dogs whose mission it is to protect and serve the homeland and people within it.  Working dogs are commended for their loyalty and devotion and are known for placing themselves in harm’s way even to the point of making the ultimate sacrifice for their partners, handlers, and trainers.

The American Kennel Club strongly supports the training and use of dogs by humans, whose lives are enriched by dogs’ performing essential services. Dogs provide a wide variety of valuable services including: handicapped assistance dogs; drug, bomb, and arson detection dogs; and tracking dogs to locate missing persons and fugitives.  The AKC encourages the continuation and further development of the use of dogs for these and similar purposes.  For these reasons, we wholeheartedly support the recognition of March 13 as National K9 Veterans’ Day. 

WHAT YOU CAN DO:
Please contact the members of the Joint Government Administration and Elections Committee and express support of Senate Bill 1002

Letters of support may be emailed to gaetestimony@cga.ct.gov.  Please use “Support Senate Bill 1002” in the subject line. 

You may also contact the members of the Joint Government Administration and Elections Committee individually:

State Representative Daniel J. Fox, Chair – Dan.Fox@cga.ct.gov

State Senator Mae Flexer, Co-Chair – http://www.senatedems.ct.gov/Flexer-contact

State Senator Michael A. McLachlan, Co-Chair – Michael.McLachlan@cga.ct.gov

State Senator L. Scott Frantz, Vice Chair – Scott.Frantz@cga.ct.gov

State Senator Gayle S. Slossberg, Vice Chair – http://www.senatedems.ct.gov/Slossberg-contact

State Representative Michael Winkler, Vice Chair – Michael.Winkler@cga.ct.gov

State Representative Laura Devlin, Ranking Member – Laura.Devlin@housegop.ct.gov

State Representative Stephanie E. Cummings – Stephanie.Cummings@housegop.ct.gov

State Representative Mike France – Mike.France@housegop.ct.gov

State Representative Gregory Haddad – Gregory.Haddad@cga.ct.gov

State Representative David K. Labriola – David.Labriola@housegop.ct.gov

State Representative Matthew Lesser – Matthew.Lesser@cga.ct.gov

State Representative Cristin McCarthy Vahey – Cristin.McCarthyVahey@cga.ct.gov

State Representative Patricia Billie Miller – Patricia.Miller@cga.ct.gov

State Representative Rosa C. Rebimbas – Rosa.Rebimbas@housegop.ct.gov

State Representative Robert C. Sampson – rob.sampson@housegop.ct.gov

State Representative Hilda E. Santiago – Hilda.Santiago@cga.ct.gov

Interested Connecticut residents are also strongly encouraged to attend the Monday, March 20th public hearing of the Joint Government Administration and Elections Committee.  The meeting is scheduled to begin at 10AM in Room 2A of the Legislative Office Building, 300 Capitol Ave, Hartford, CT 06106.  Click here to view the meeting agenda. 

For more information, contact AKC’s Government Relations Department at (919) 816-3720, or email doglaw@akc.org; or contact the Connecticut Federation of Dog Clubs & Responsible Dog Owners.