Legislative Alerts

The American Kennel Club Government Relations Department has learned that the Ohio General Assembly (which comprises both the House of Representatives and State Senate) has gone on summer recess. At this time, legislative leadership has not announced with the Assembly will reconvene to consider bills. Currently, Senate Bill 95 is ready for action by the […]

Senate Bill 2022 passed the Rhode Island Senate on June 1, 2010 and has now been assigned to the House Judiciary Committee. Concerned Rhode Island dog owners should contact the members of the Judiciary Committee. The AKC Government Relations Department continues to monitor this legislation and will provide updates on further action on this bill […]

The North Carolina General Assembly has been in session for nearly a month. Already, animal rights groups are lobbying our legislators to take up SB 460. Tomorrow (June 2, 2010), the Humane Society of the United States will have a lobby day, in which they will work hard to convince our legislators to pass this […]

The Ohio Senate State and Local Government and Veterans Affairs Committee has rescheduled the vote on Senate Bill 95 for Tuesday, June 1, 2010, at 1:00 p.m.  No testimony will be permitted at this hearing.  This bill continues to be amended and the AKC expects further amendments to be added prior to Tuesday’s vote. The […]

U.S. Senator Richard Durbin (D-Ill.) introduced US Senate bill S. 3424 late Tuesday evening. The bill is designed to close the “internet loophole” in the Animal Welfare Act which allows breeders who sell numerous puppies over the internet or directly to the public to avoid the USDA regulation required of other breeder-retailers. The measure, called […]

On May 13, the Georgia Department of Agriculture published a notice of intent to adopt amendments to rules that would increase fees for animal shelters, kennels, pet dealers and stables. These fees are a part of an across-the-board increase in state fees that are designed to help offset state budget cuts that have been made […]

The American Kennel Club wishes to thank all those who worked so hard during the 2010 legislative session to oppose Senate Bill 1712 and to ensure that laws that govern dog breeders in Oklahoma are reasonable, enforceable and fair. Despite the efforts of many responsible dog owners and breeders, the measure was passed by House […]

New York Assembly Bill 5507, known as "Charlemagne’s Law", will be considered by the New York Assembly Agriculture Committee tomorrow, Tuesday, May 18.  Among its many provisions, the bill seeks to amend the state’s existing definition of "pet dealer", creates a new definition of "commercial kennels", and seeks to impact those designated as such with […]

The Hollister City Council has given the city attorney permission to draft an ordinance to mandate the sterilization of all Chihuahuas and "pit bulls" in city limits. This is in response to a recent report by the Hollister Animal Control stating that there has been a significant increase in shelter intake, euthanasia, and dog attacks […]

A panel of volunteers appointed by the Point Coupee Police Jury has recommended breed-specific changes to the Parish’s animal control ordinance, which it will consider at its meeting on May 25.  The American Kennel Club strongly opposes breed-specific legislation, and encourages all Point Coupee residents to contact the members of the Parish’s Police Jury listed […]