Legislative Alerts

Senate Bill 945 which will establish standards of care for pet boarding facilities has been amended and may impact more fanciers and responsible dog owners. The bill now defines a pet boarding facility as “any lot, building, structure, enclosure or other premises whereupon two or more dogs, cats or other pets in any combination are boarded […]

A resolution was approved yesterday in the New York Senate calling on the Governor to declare March 13 as “K9 Veterans Appreciation Day” in the state.  This resolution, sponsored by Senator Kathleen Marchione of Saratoga County, recognizes the many ways in which “military working dogs, past and present,….have served our nation.” Senate Resolution J 4181 […]

The New York Senate is expected to vote on a bill any day that would allow owners to take their companion animals on public transportation if a state of emergency is declared.  This is meant to partner with identical legislation passed in 2014 in New Jersey to assist those utilizing public transportation through the Port […]

A West Virginia measure that would have instituted statewide mandatory spay/neuter policies was not considered in committee prior to the hearing deadline.  As a result, the bill will not advance this year. Instead, a resolution has been introduced that would require the Joint Committee on Government and Finance to “study the most effective, humane, and […]

Connecticut law already allows the owner of a companion animal that has been intentionally injured or killed to collect economic damages (i.e., claims substantiated by a specific cost), including veterinary care cost and the monetary value of the animal.  Connecticut Senate Bill 228 would go a drastic step further and allow non-economic damages in cases […]

On Thursday, March 3, 2016, the Connecticut General Assembly’s Joint Insurance and Real Estate Committee will consider House Bill 5443, which would prohibit insurance companies from establishing minimum premiums, canceling, refusing to renew, or refusing to issue a homeowners insurance policy based solely on the breed of dog owned by the insured or applicant.  The […]

Monday, February 29, 2016 On Thursday, March 3, 2016, committees of the New Jersey Legislature will consider several dog-related bills.  New Jersey residents are strongly encouraged to take action on the bills, as noted below. Senate Economic Growth Committee The New Jersey Senate Economic Growth Committee is scheduled to consider three bills dealing with dogs […]

An Illinois committee is scheduled to consider a bill on Tuesday, March 1, that would ban debarking unless it is medically necessary to treat an illness, congenital defect, disease or injury.  While the AKC supports the provision in House Bill 5004 that only allows debarking to be performed by a licensed veterinarian, we oppose the […]

A proposal has been introduced in West Virginia that would require the sterilization of all dogs and cats, with very few exceptions. All bills must be considered in committee by the end of this week, so it is important that all who reside or participate in conformation, hunting, performance, or other activities with dogs in […]

The American Kennel Club cares deeply about the welfare of all dogs and supports the ability of law enforcement or public safety officers to remove dogs from vehicles when they are in distress due to heat or other environmental conditions that present an immediate danger to the dog. However, a number of bills were introduced […]