Legislative Alerts

The State of Connecticut has appointed a task force to investigate the sale of dogs and cats in Connecticut and they are holding a public hearing in Fairfield on Wednesday, October 16th.  Upon completion of these public hearings, it is expected that the task force will draft legislation for consideration in 2014. It is vitally […]

UPDATE (October 10):  The new CFIA regulations apply to those that are classified as "commercial animals".  The CFIA has specific guidelines for dogs that are being imported into Canada as pets. Contact the CFIA directly for further information on Canadian regulations regarding the importation of dogs.   The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), which oversees […]

Today, the United States Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA/APHIS) released a finalized version of new federal regulations that narrow the definition of a “retail pet store” with the purpose of bringing internet-based pet breeders and sellers under the regulation of the Animal Welfare Act (AWA).  The rule, originally proposed in […]

The American Kennel Club (AKC) has learned that the City of Waco, Texas, may soon consider a mandatory spay/neuter ordinance. The idea is currently under development by the Waco Animal Welfare Advisory Board, and would have to appear before the City Council before it becomes law. The American Kennel Club strongly supports and actively promotes […]

Maine LD 1192, sponsored by Representative Justin Chenette, will be considered by the Joint Committee on Insurance and Financial Services on April 25.  The bill seeks to prohibit insurance companies from cancelling, refusing to issue, or charging an increased premium for a property insurance policy solely on the basis of a policyholder's ownership of a […]

Maine LD 1239, sponsored by Representative Paul Davis, seeks to clarify, streamline, and promote fair animal welfare laws in Maine. The American Kennel Club (AKC) believes LD 1239 represents an improvement over current Maine law, and joins the Federation of Maine Dog Clubs and Responsible Dog Owners (Maine Federation) in support of LD 1239.  Maine […]

The West Virginia Legislature has passed Senate Bill 437, which will regulate those who own 11 or more intact dogs over one year of age "for the exclusive purpose of actively breeding." The bill now goes to the governor for his signature. Those who keep or breed dogs "for the purpose of herding or guarding […]

The New York Assembly Codes Committee will consider a bill on April 16 that would prohibit insurance companies from denying, cancelling or raising premium rates for homeowners' insurance based on the breed of dog owned by the policyholder. All responsible dog owners and breeders in New York are encouraged to contact the Assembly Codes Committee, […]

Various news reports have indicated that, in response to a well-publicized dog attack last month, Westwego City Councilmember Glenn Green intends to introduce an ordinance that would extend the city's current breed-specific ordinance to additional breeds and make keeping certain targeted breeds much more difficult. On principle, the American Kennel Club (AKC) opposes breed-specific legislation. […]

The Maryland General Assembly adjourned late yesterday without passing Senate Bill 160, which would have overturned the Tracey v. Solesky court of appeals ruling. The original ruling, issued in April 2012, declared all "pit bulls" as inherently dangerous and held landlords liable for any actions caused by these dogs on their properties. On reconsideration in […]