On Thursday, February 29, 2024, the Maryland Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee will hold a hearing on a bill seeks to remove the cap on compensatory damages for which a person who tortiously causes an injury to or death of a pet is liable. Those who wish may comment on this bill using the information below. […]

Next Tuesday, February 21, 2024, the New Hampshire (NH) House Judiciary Committee will hear public testimony on HB 1684, which seeks to expand the relationships eligible for “loss of consortium” damages. Loss of consortium refers to the loss or impairment of the intangible benefits of a relationship, typically between spouses. When death or serious impairment […]

14-year-old junior handler Adam Kucera and 2-year-old Irish Setter "Stryker" already have some impressive titles under their belt, including NOHS BIS.

Edamame is a popular snack food or side dish for consumers worldwide. The name of these green soybeans, which are picked while still young, means "beans on a branch" in Japanese. This vegetable has all the essential amino acids the human body does not produce, is low in calories, fat, and sugar, and high in […]

On Friday, October 14, 2022, Governor John Carney signed Senate Substitute 1 to Senate Bill 258 (known as Izzy the Cat’s Act).  It provides for the awarding of compensatory damages for injury or death of a companion animal as a result of a tortious act. As signed by the Governor, when these acts are committed, […]

Macadamia nuts, although not usually an everyday food, are often found in baked goods, including cakes, cookies, muffins, and even trail mix. Are they safe for dogs? No. In fact, macadamia nuts are often listed as among the top human foods to avoid giving your dog. The consequences of eating macadamia nuts include vomiting, ataxia […]

Recently, a substitute version of Senate Bill 258 (known as Izzy the Cat’s Act) passed both chambers of the General Assembly.  It provides for the awarding of compensatory damages for injury or death of a companion animal as a result of a tortious act.  The legislation now goes to the Governor John Carney for signature. […]

This week, the Delaware Senate Judiciary Committee passed an amended version of Senate Bill 258, which, as introduced, this bill that would have allowed a person to receive damages for both the veterinarian cost and care of a pet as well as damages for mental distress or emotional harm caused by the injury or death […]

On Wednesday, May 4, at 1:00 pm the Delaware Senate Judiciary Committee will hold a hearing on a bill that would allow a person to receive damages for both the veterinarian cost and care of a pet as well as damages for mental distress or emotional harm caused by the injury or death of a […]

Tomorrow, March 10, 2022 at 4:00 pm the Maryland House Judiciary Committee will be voting on a bill that would allow a person to receive damages for mental distress or emotional harm caused by the injury or death of a companion animal. The sponsor and supporters of House Bill 1375 are attempting to make it […]

On Wednesday, March 2, 2022 at 1:00 pm both the Maryland House Judiciary Committee and the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee are considering bills that would allow a person to receive damages for mental distress or emotional harm caused by the injury or death of a companion animal. AKC encourages Marylanders to contact the House Judiciary […]

Good nutrition for brood bitches is critical for the health of mom and puppies alike, but it does not need to be complicated. In fact, simpler might be better. We talked with veterinarian and Whippet breeder Dr. Deana McNamer and longtime breeder Lorraine Rothrock of Southern Wirehaired Pointing Griffons. They shared their feeding advice for […]

Breeders hope that their dam will be able to provide for all her puppies, but sometimes she needs help. Even the strongest and best prepared bitch may not be able to meet the nutritional requirements of a large litter without risk to her or her puppies’ health. And in any size litter, there might be […]

Walk down the dog food aisle of any large pet-supply store, or peruse the shelves at a boutique pet-food shop, and you can quickly become overwhelmed. This is especially true for puppy owners, and probably even more so for first-time puppy owners. When did it get so complicated? Back in the day, dog food options […]

The New York Senate continues to advance a bill that would allow a person to receive damages for mental distress or emotional harm caused by the injury or death of a companion animal. AKC opposes this bill.  Allowing non-economic damages for pets calls into question the legal status of pets as property. The legal concept […]

On Tuesday, May 18, the New York Senate Judiciary Committee is considering a bill that would allow a person to receive damages for mental distress or emotional harm caused by the injury or death of a companion animal. Although such concepts may sound benign, they represent a potential change in the legal status of animals […]

Got "milk teeth," now bring on the puppy food. Rapidly growing puppies tend to be eager eaters. Not surprising considering that until they are around six months of age, puppies need two to three times the amount of most nutrients and calories per pound of body weight compared to an adult dog. Choosing Puppy's First […]

While every breed has a shot at winning Best in Show at any given dog show, there are some dogs whose stand-on-your-tippy-toes glamour simply makes them hard to ignore. And the Poodle, with his halo of perfectly coiffed fur and showy attitude (so distinctive that it has spawned its eponymous adjective – “Poodley"), is undoubtedly […]

A bill is moving in the New York Assembly that would require someone to pay for non-economic damages in cases involving the wrongful death of or injury to a companion animal. This would mean that in addition to the fair monetary value of the animal and veterinary bills, a person would be liable for the […]

An emotionally-driven, but problematic bill in Florida seeks to provide for compensatory damages for the injury or death of a pet. The bill will be heard by Senate Committee on Judiciary tomorrow, March 14, 2017.

Connecticut law already allows the owner of a companion animal that has been intentionally injured or killed to collect economic damages (i.e., claims substantiated by a specific cost), including veterinary care cost and the monetary value of the animal.  Connecticut Senate Bill 228 would go a drastic step further and allow non-economic damages in cases […]

New York Alert: Bill Mandating Non-Economic Damages to be Considered by Committee on Thursday, May 28 – Express Opposition Now! Friday, May 22, 2015 A bill to be considered by the New York State Assembly Judiciary Committee on Thursday, May 28, seeks to mandate non-economic damages (i.e., those damages that cannot be readily assigned an […]

Be Selective about the Toys You Give Your DogDogs are tremendously "oral" creatures and they experience much of the world through their mouths. Depending upon the breed, some dogs can exert 150 to 450 pounds per square inch with their jaws. As a result, we need to safeguard our dogs from chewing excessively (with their […]

“Times Past,” AKC Gazette: Lina Basquette (1907–1994) did enough living for 10 lifetimes: Ziegfeld Follies dancer, movie star, widow of Sam Warner (of Warner Brothers fame), and fabulously successful breeder-handler-judge of Great Danes. Basquette handled her Honey Hollow Danes to 125 BIS, 500 group wins, and more than 1,000 BOB. Along the way, she was […]

Pythiosis is a rare, but emerging infectious disease sparking concern for dogs and their owners. Learn about the symptoms, treatment, and preventions.

Leo was the picture of health until one day one of his eyes seemed to bulge and cloud over. It turned out to be blastomycosis in dogs, a fungal infection.

When Kevin Holmes went looking for a service dog that would double as a competition teammate two years ago, he had specific idea in mind. His answer? "Natalie" the German Wirehaired Pointer.

Intestinal blockages are common in dogs, and most often occur from eating foreign objects. What are the causes, treatment and timeline of blockages?