Legislative Alerts

The Onondaga County Legislature has been considering two proposals that would impact dogs being kept outside, and a vote is expected on April 3. “Proposal A” would prohibit anyone from tethering a dog outdoors for more than 2 hours when the temperature is lower than 32 degrees or higher than 90 degrees Fahrenheit.  Although it […]

The Maryland House of Representatives has approved a measure which will prohibit retail pet stores (defined as any “for profit establishment open to the public that sells or offers for sale domestic animals to be kept as pets”) from selling any dogs or cats.  Instead, they would only be allowed to “showcase” animals available for […]

On Wednesday, the Ohio House Government Accountability and Oversight Committee advanced a bill that makes numerous changes to the state’s laws regulating high volume dog breeders. As passed by the committee, House Bill 506, sponsored by Representative Brian Hill, is an effort to update the laws in a reasonable manner.  We thank Representative Hill for […]

House Bill 1909  is a problematic bill that could criminalize the actions of dog owners who use a cord, tether, or “similar device” to keep their dogs safe during emergency situations.  This bill has been placed on the consent calendar in the Tennessee House of Representatives for Monday, March 19. If dog owners do not […]

Massachusetts Senate Bill 1155, which seeks to impose regulatory oversight over personal and commercial kennels, mandate annual inspections of all kennels, and create consumer protections laws, is expected to be formally adopted into a new amended bill, Senate Bill 2331, and possibly voted on by the full Senate on Thursday, March 15.  If enacted as currently written, […]

Minnesota House File 2815, which is scheduled to be considered by the House Civil Law and Data Practices Policy Committee on Thursday, March 8, seeks to make misrepresenting an animal as a service animal a misdemeanor.  All Minnesota residents are encouraged to contact the members of the committee and express support of HF 2815. The AKC […]

The Maryland House Economic Matters Committee is scheduled to consider a bill on Monday, March 12, which will prohibit retail pet stores (defined as any “for profit establishment open to the public that sells or offers for sale domestic animals to be kept as pets”) from selling any dogs or cats.  Instead, they would only […]

On Friday, March 9, 2018, the Connecticut General Assembly’s Environment Committee is scheduled to consider several dog-related bills.  The American Kennel Club (AKC) encourages all concerned Connecticut residents to contact the committee members and respectfully share their views. House Bill 5355 – This bill seeks to amend several statutes regarding how a dog may be kept […]

The Rhode Island House Health, Education, and Welfare Committee is scheduled to consider more dog-related bills at its Wednesday, March 7 hearing.   One of these bills, House Bill 7609, may impact dog handlers.  The American Kennel Club (AKC) encourages all concerned Rhode Island residents to contact the committee members and respectfully share their views. House […]

Companion Minnesota bills, House File 3157 and Senate File 2646, seek to make it a crime to misrepresent a dog as a service animal or a service animal in training.   First violations would qualify as petty misdemeanors with fines up to $100.  Second or subsequent violations would qualify as misdemeanors with 30 hours of community service for an […]