Legislative Alerts

A bill recently introduced in the Iowa Senate would likely have an extremely damaging impact on breeders and fanciers.  This bill is expected to move very quickly.  It is imperative that Iowa dog owners and breeders contact their State Senator TODAY and ask them to oppose Senate File 168.  Click here to find the name […]

The Nebraska Legislature’s Agriculture Committee will consider several bills on Tuesday, February 17 that will impact dog owners and breeders, including a bill (LB 377) that could force a dog owner to forfeit their animals for only a suspicion of animal cruelty – even before a conviction by the court. AKC encourages dog owners and […]

On February 16, 2015, the Montana Senate Local Government Committee is scheduled to consider Senate Bill 239, a bill that seeks to protect the rights of responsible dog owners in Montana.  SB 239 would prohibit local governments from enacting or enforcing an ordinance, policy, resolution or other regulation that is specific to the breed or […]

Next Monday, February 9, 2015, the North Dakota House Human Services Committee will consider House Concurrent Resolution 3010.  If ultimately approved, the resolution will direct legislative staff to study the identification of properly trained assistance dogs providing legitimate service to their owners, waivers of local registration fees, and the effect of various local ordinances on […]

On Friday, February 13, the New Hampshire House Environment and Agriculture Committee will consider House Bill 624, a bill regarding animal care costs in cruelty cases. As introduced, the bill could force individuals charged—but not convicted—of animal cruelty to forfeit ownership of their pets, even after they are later found not guilty of those charges. […]

As reported previously, the Jefferson Parish Council has delayed their consideration of changes to the Parish’s animal cruelty ordinances. Instead, officials with the Jefferson Parish Animal Shelter and Animal Shelter Advisory Board will first hold a public meeting to discuss the proposed changes. The meeting will be held on Tuesday, February 10, 2015, at 6:30PM […]

As reported previously, the Jefferson Parish Council has delayed their consideration of changes to the Parish’s animal cruelty ordinances. Instead, officials with the Jefferson Parish Animal Shelter and Animal Shelter Advisory Board will first hold a public meeting to discuss the proposed changes. The meeting will be held on Tuesday, February 10, 2015, at 6:30PM […]

The Maryland Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee is scheduled to consider a bill on Wednesday, February 4, that would amend the state’s tethering laws and ban dogs from being left tethered outdoors in extreme cold and winter conditions. However, as introduced it prohibits any dog from being tethered outside unattended for an hour when the temperature […]

The AKC Government Relations Department (AKC GR) has received word that several Jefferson Parish councilmembers will request to defer the consideration of the proposed cruelty ordinance changes, which were scheduled to be considered today, until a future meeting. Councilmembers have expressed an interest in hearing Parish residents’ views about the proposal. Therefore, it extremely important […]

At its next meeting on Wednesday, January 28, the Jefferson Parish Council is scheduled to consider a proposal that will amend the parish’s ordinances that regard the humane treatment of animals. Several parts of the proposal are of concern to the American Kennel Club. Jefferson Parish residents are strongly encouraged to review the proposal and […]