Issues at the City, County, and Metropolitan Levels, and in US Territories
CT, New Haven – In 2018, the city proposed and adopted new dangerous dog, breeding license and litter permit regulations. AKC submitted requested changes and met with the Mayor and General Counsel to discuss the changes. The election of a new mayor and the pandemic delayed review of AKC’s requested changes. On December 5, AKC appeared before the city’s legislative committee to highlight 2023 changes to Connecticut law necessitating change and to revisit the changes previously requested. A draft in response is pending.
GA, DeKalb County – An ordinance proposed in DeKalb County seeks to require owners of female intact companion animals to obtain a litter permit prior to the birth of a litter or within one week after the litter’s birth. The female intact animals must also be microchipped or have other permanent identification before a permit would be issued. The proposal seeks to a limit to the number of litter permits issued per household during any consecutive 12-month period (litter amount not yet determined), and would prohibit breeding to one litter per female animal in any consecutive 12-month period. It would also waive the permit requirement for rescue groups and fosters. The proposal would also provide for conditions for sale of offspring, one-week-post-sale consumer protection provisions, and litter permit advertising requirements. Puppies and kittens would not be permitted to be sold to a pet store, animal broker, or other animal dealer. AKC GR is reaching out to County Commissioners and local breeders and purebred dog enthusiasts in response to the draft ordinance.
GA, Forsyth County – 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. Comments and recommended alternate language were offered to commissioners in January.
MA, Barnstable – The town is updating its dog and kennel licenses and held a public hearing in October. The proposal would intends to establish a new “multiple dog licenses” category for a private residence maintaining four to six dogs or for breeding dogs for show or sport that sells dogs from two or less litters per year, in lieu of obtaining a kennel license. In order to obtain a kennel license, applicants would need to secure site plan review and zoning board approval because they would be treated as commercial use. AKC and a resident AKC breeder met with town officials in November to discuss concerns. AKC provided suggested edits and issued an alert. The town adopted AKC’s edits and others relating to dogs’ beach access before posting a re-draft on January 5. Details are here.
SC, Columbia and surrounding counties – News stories report discussion of mandatory spay/neuter requirements for pets in the city of Columbia and in Lexington and Richmond Counties. AKC GR contacted local kennel club officers and recommended scheduling a stakeholders’ meeting by video conference.
TX, Houston – Houston Mayor John Whitmire recently discussed his belief that a mandatory spay/neuter law will address shelter population issues and stray animal issues. He implied there may be a future ordinance. AKC sent letters to the Houston City Council and Mayor opposing the development of an ordinance and encourages local clubs to also express concerns. Read more.