Issues at the City, County, and Metropolitan Levels, and in US Territories
CA, Los Angeles – The Los Angeles City Council is considering a proposal to suspend the issuance of new breeding permits for the stated reason of shelter overcrowding. This would impact all who breed in the city, as well as all owners of intact dogs even if they are not currently breeding. The proposal is currently before the Los Angeles City Council. AKC is in communication with officials from Los Angeles and is working with numerous local club members to address concerns. Read more.
CA, Kern County – The Kern County Board of Supervisors is considering a proposal from the Kern County Animal Services Commission that would institute an increased licensing regime in Kern County with severe penalties for a first violation. Current law already requires an unaltered dog permit. Under the proposal, failure to license an unaltered dog could lead to mandatory spay/neuter on one violation of related animal control laws. AKC continues to be in communication with officials from Kern County and is working with numerous local club members to address concerns. Read more.
CA, Bakersfield – The Bakersfield City Council is considering a wide-range proposal that could see many of the city’s dog related laws changed, including licensing and possible inspections for anyone owning more than three dogs, and permits and inspections for all breeders. The proposal recently passed a first reading of the full Bakersfield City Council and is awaiting further consideration. Read more.
GA, Forsyth Co. – Members of the Forsyth County Board of Commissioners continue to consider significant changes to the county animal ordinance, including licensing and registration requirements for breeders and for individuals who sell/transfer just two dogs or cats. View AKC’s most recent alert. The Georgia Canine Coalition and other stakeholders are working to ensure that dog breeder provisions are reasonable, enforceable, and consistent with state requirements. A stakeholder meeting is scheduled for December 11, 2023, at 3:00pm, County Administration Building, 110 East Main Street, Suite 210, Cumming, GA 30040.
NM, Las Cruces -The Las Cruces City Council held a special work session to discuss a mandatory spay/neuter ordinance and continues to receive pressure from a local animal advocacy organization to implement this proposal. A draft ordinance is not publicly available, and it is unclear when a draft will be available. The AKC expects there may be one more special work session to discuss this ordinance before it will be sent to the city council for a vote, but there are none scheduled at this time.