Legislative Alerts

A new law has been passed in Pennsylvania that makes several changes regarding dog training areas, including providing protections for dogs actively training or participating in field trials.   The law will go into effect in late January 2016.  Highlights of the new law include: Making it unlawful for anyone to “willfully, negligently or maliciously” kill, […]

The Neptune Beach City Council will discuss but not vote on a proposed ordinance which will define hobby breeders and will prohibit those who own a certain number of pets from selling ANY animals. The AKC urges responsible dog owners and breeders to attend the meeting and oppose this burdensome and ineffective ordinance before a […]

Wednesday, November 11, 2015 On Monday, November 16, 2015, two committees of the New Jersey Assembly will consider bills pertaining to dogs and sales regulations.  The bills include: AB 2524 / SB 1877 – These companion bills provide that any person with disabilities accompanied by a guide or service dog, or any guide or service […]

The Clark County, NV County Commission will consider changes to their animal control code on Tuesday, November 17th which will negatively impact breeders, fanciers and dog owners. It is imperative that responsible owners and breeders contact their county commissioners and attend this meeting to oppose these changes. Clark County, NV is revising their existing breeder […]

The Wisconsin Senate has approved a measure that would allow citizens to use reasonable force to enter a vehicle if it is believed that a person or domestic animal inside the vehicle is in imminent danger.  The bill now goes to the governor and could be acted upon at any time.  You may contact Governor […]

The Massachusetts Joint Committee on Financial Services is scheduled to consider a bill on November 10 that would protect responsible dog owners by prohibiting insurance companies that offer homeowners insurance from refusing, cancelling, or imposing an increased premium on clients due to the specific breed of dog(s) kept on the property.  Summary: Senate Bill 501, […]

The Wisconsin Assembly has approved a measure that would allow citizens to use reasonable force to enter a vehicle if it is believed that a person or domestic animal inside the vehicle is in imminent danger.  Under Assembly Bill 308 as passed by the Assembly, a person would be immune from civil liability for property […]

A program approved yesterday by the North Carolina governor will establish a new “hotline” in the state to allow North Carolinians to report any violation of the state's animal cruelty laws or Animal Welfare Act directly to the Attorney General. The “hotline” will consist of multiple methods by which to report alleged violations, including a […]

A new law was enacted yesterday by the New York Governor that permits dogs in outdoor areas of eating establishments in the state, as long as certain conditions are met.  The AKC supported this measure, which allows responsible dog owners more opportunity to enjoy outdoor activities and socialization with their well-behaved pets.  Under the new […]

Monday, October 26, 2015 Last week, AKC Government Relations (AKC GR) published information regarding the upcoming meeting of the Joint Environment, Natural Resources, and Agriculture Committee of the Massachusetts legislature.  Since then, additional bills have been added to the committee’s agenda.  Two of the newly-added bills, SB 443 and HB 634, may prove problematic.  AKC […]