Legislative Alerts

June 8, 2015 Thanks to the tireless efforts of many AKC club members and Iowa breeders, a bill that would have had a detrimental impact on dog breeders and hobbyists in Iowa will not move forward this year. Senate File 502 (Formerly Senate Files 168 and 347) would have created numerous new requirements on those […]

June 8, 2015 The American Kennel Club Government Relations department has just learned that a bill is moving through the Oregon State Legislature that would ban the practice of debarking unless it is medically necessary to treat an injury, illness, or congenital defect.  The AKC opposes House Bill 3494, which would restrict the rights of […]

NY Bills Allowing Service & Therapy Dogs to Accompany Domestic Violence Victims Continue to Advance June 4, 2015 The New York Assembly Social Services Committee has approved a bill that would allow victims of domestic violence to bring their service or therapy dogs with them if they need to go to an emergency shelter. The […]

June 4, 2015 The New York Senate has approved a bill that would make it a crime to steal a pet from an owner’s or legal custodian’s private property.  The bill is now pending in the Assembly Codes Committee. Summary: Current New York law declares that theft of certain property is grand larceny in the […]

June 4, 2015 The NY Assembly Housing Committee has approved a bill that would prohibit a person from being denied or evicted from public housing based solely on the breed of dog they own.  The bill would also prohibit housing leases (including apartments, tenements, and mobile home parks) from restricting a tenant’s ability to own […]

June 4, 2015 Pennsylvania Senate Bill 373, which amends Commonwealth laws to regulate tethering and sheltering for dogs kept outdoors, passed the Pennsylvania Senate yesterday and has been transferred to the House of Representatives. This bill could directly impact field trials, sledding, and other outdoor winter dog sports and activities.  Read AKC’s previous legislative alert […]

UPDATE (June 3, 2015):  The North Carolina General Assembly has voted to override the veto, and HB 405 is now law. UPDATE (June 1, 2015):  Governor McCrory vetoed HB 405 on Friday, May 29.  The legislature now has the option of overriding this veto with a 3/5 majority vote in both chambers.  The AKC supports […]

June 3, 2015 The New York Senate is expected to vote any day on a bill that would allow companion animals on all commuter transportation (including railroads, ferries, buses, etc.) during states of emergency, so long as certain requirements are met.  NY residents are encouraged to contact their State Senator and ask them to support […]

June 3, 2015 The New York Senate Agriculture Committee has approved Senate Bill 1812, which would amend current laws to help better identify the owners of lost dogs.  Under Senate Bill 1812, which is supported by the AKC, a lost dog must be checked for all forms of identification, including tags, microchips, tattoos or licenses […]

NY Senate To Vote on Making Theft Of A Pet From Its Owner’s Property Grand Larceny June 2, 2015 The New York Senate is expected to vote soon on a bill that would criminalize taking a pet from someone’s property. New York residents are encouraged to call your State Senator today and ask them to […]