Legislative Alerts

This week, the Delaware General Assembly continued to advance legislation seeking to regulate barking dogs and provide immunity for animal cruelty reporting.  Below is the latest information, as well as action you can take today on these bills: House Bill 124 – Regulating Barking Dogs House Bill 124 would prohibit dogs from barking continuously for […]

This morning, the United States Supreme Court affirmed a decision of the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals that upheld California’s 2018 voter initiative that imposed minimum space requirements for the confinement of breeding pigs that produce uncooked products to sell in the state. In the underlying case, National Pork Producers Council v. Ross, the petitioners, […]

The Nevada Senate Natural Resources Committee is considering Assembly Bill 86 in a hearing on May 16. The bill has already passed unanimously out of the state Assembly. AKC is asking for your help in supporting this reasonable cruelty bill that contains several AKC amendments as it makes its way through the state Senate. Summary: […]

Today, the Texas House of Representatives passed SB 876. The bill will now go to Governor Greg Abbott’s desk. The bill will require anyone that both owns 5 or more intact females and is engaged in the business of breeding those dogs for sale to secure a state license. It is vitally important that Governor […]

The New York Senate has passed a ban on “debarking” – a veterinary practice also known as bark softening. Senate Bill 142 would prohibit veterinarians from performing this procedure unless it is medically necessary to treat an injury, illness, or congenital defect. Senate Bill 142 has now been referred to the Assembly Agriculture Committee but […]

Florida dog owners breathed sighs of relief when the hard-fought 2023 Florida legislative session adjourned on Friday, May 5th. Several problematic bills did not advance, while positive bills passed in the state legislature and await action by the Governor. Possibly the most egregious state-level dog breeder bills (HB 1581/SB 1492) filed in the U.S. to […]

At its upcoming hybrid public hearing at 11AM on Monday, May 15, 2023, the Massachusetts Joint Committee on Agriculture will consider multiple animal-related bills, with three bills specifically impacting dogs.   The full agenda with links to bill text can be viewed here. The American Kennel Club (AKC) encourages all concerned Massachusetts residents to contact the […]

The Texas House of Representatives is expected to vote on HB 2238 tomorrow, Wednesday May 10. The bill will require anyone that both owns 5 or more intact females and is engaged in the business of breeding those dogs for sale to secure a state license. AKC expects HB 2238 and its Senate companion, SB […]

The first year of Georgia’s two-year legislative session ended with several bills carrying over to 2024. The American Kennel Club Government Relations team (AKC GR) thanks the Georgia Canine Coalition, AKC club members, and every individual who contacted lawmakers and spread the word to fellow owners about bills that affect dogs. Among the 2023-2024 bills […]

The Delaware House Health and Human Development Committee approved bills seeking to regulate barking dogs and granting immunity for animal cruelty reporting after a recent hearing.  Delaware residents are strongly encouraged to contact their State Representatives (see below for more information). House Bill 124 – Regulating Barking Dogs House Bill 124 would prohibit dogs from […]