Legislative Alerts

Wednesday, October 9, 2019 On January 1, 2020, New Hampshire dog owners facing false accusations of animal cruelty will benefit from new legal protections.  These changes will help ensure swift adjudication of complaints involving animals and ensure animal owners are not wrongfully deprived of their rights. As filed in the 2018 session by Senator Jeb […]

October 7, 2019 The Collier County (FL) Board of Commissioners is scheduled to consider several proposals that could restrict consumer choice for residents who wish to add a dog to the family.  Concerned animal owners are encouraged to attend the meeting on October 8, 2019 to learn more about the proposals, and residents are urged […]

October 2, 2019 The Robeson County Board of Commissioners is holding a public meeting on Wednesday, October 3, to get feedback on numerous proposed changes to the county’s animal control laws, which were originally written in 1990. The proposed changes include limiting ownership to three dogs on a residential property (unless the dogs are kept […]

September 27, 2019 Yesterday, a Prince George’s County committee held a public hearing on a proposal that would make several significant changes to the county’s animal laws.  The committee announced that no vote would be taken, but the measure would be brought back in the near future. AKC continues to encourage those who reside or […]

Thursday, September 26, 2019 Despite concerns from New Hampshire residents, the Dog Owners of the Granite State (NH DOGS), AKC, and others, Governor Sununu re-negotiated a state budget with legislative leaders keeping intact the new definition of “pet vendor” and striking “commercial kennel” from state law. Click here to view our previous alert on the […]

September 25, 2019 A Prince George’s County (Maryland) policy committee is expected to consider numerous changes to the county’s animal laws at a hearing tomorrow, Thursday, September 26. Those who reside or participate in dog events and activities in Maryland are strongly encouraged to contact the Prince George’s County committee and express concerns with how […]

Friday, September 20, 2019 On August 20, AKC Government Relations (AKC GR) issued an alert that the Legislation and Rules Committee of Stamford, Connecticut’s Board of Representatives was scheduled to consider limiting consumer choice by requiring pet shops in the city that sell dogs and cats to source animals only from shelters and rescues.  At […]

Thursday, September 19, 2019 On Tuesday, September 24, the Massachusetts General Court’s Joint Committee on the Judiciary will consider SB 989 and SB 990, which prohibit the outside and unattended confinement of dogs from 10pm to 6am.  “Outside and unattended” would mean any dog exposed to the elements for a duration of longer than 15 […]

September 19, 2019 The Bakersfield City Council removed two items from their agenda that were scheduled for a first reading. These proposals would have amended existing ordinance and added new language to the city’s animal ordinances. After removal from the council’s consent agenda, the items were referred to a subcommittee where the proposals will be […]

September 16, 2019 An overreaching animal ordinance is back on the agenda for 9/17/19 in Hattiesburg, MS.  The ordinance has been minimally amended, and additional amendments might be added.   However, as of the time of this message, many provisions of concern remain in Draft #3 of the ordinance, and new problematic provisions have been added. […]