NJ Update: Troublesome AR-based Advocates Bill Passes Committee
As expected, yesterday the New Jersey Senate Judiciary Committee approved Senate Bill 2868. The bill seeks to create court-appointed legal advocates for animals, but features language that explicitly undermines the traditional legal classification of animals as property and limits the rights of animal owners. The American Kennel Club (AKC) strongly condemns animal cruelty and believes […]
https://www.akc.org/legislative-alerts/nj-update-troublesome-ar-based-advocates-bill-passes-committee/
| December 15, 2020
Michigan: Urgent! Tell your Senator to Ask for a Vote to Ban Breed-Specific Legislation
The Michigan Legislature is only in session for a few more days, and your help is needed to get a vote on a bill that would finally ban breed-specific laws in Michigan. House Bill 4035 has already passed the House and only needs a vote on the Senate floor before being sent to the governor. […]
https://www.akc.org/legislative-alerts/michigan-urgent-tell-senator-ask-vote-ban-breed-specific-legislation/
| December 11, 2020
NJ: Animal Rights Legal Advocates Bill Threatens Animal Ownership, Act Now!
New Jersey Senate Bill 2868, which seeks to create court-appointed legal advocates for animals, has been scheduled for a hearing in the Senate Judiciary Committee on Monday, December 14, 2020. All New Jersey dog owners are urged to contact the members of the Senate Judiciary Committee today to respectfully request: (1) S.2868 not be approved, […]
https://www.akc.org/legislative-alerts/nj-animal-rights-legal-advocates-bill-threatens-animal-ownership-act-now/
| December 10, 2020
UPDATE: MA House and Senate Support Service Dogs in State Budget Sent to Governor
On Friday, December 4, 2020, the Massachusetts Conference Committee charged with resolving differences in the House and Senate bills prioritizing funding for state programs in FY 2021, released HB 5164. Among the funding included, not less than $50,000 will be expended for the NEADS Inc. “service dogs for veterans program” to train service dogs for […]
https://www.akc.org/legislative-alerts/update-ma-house-senate-support-service-dogs-state-budget-sent-governor/
| December 7, 2020
Breaking News: U.S. Dept. of Transportation Revises Airline Service Animals Rules
Today, the United States Department of Transportation (DOT) announced final revisions to its Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA) regulations that concern the transportation of service animals. The new finalized rules, which will be effective in January, are intended to ensure that America’s air transportation system is safe for the travelling public and accessible to individuals […]
https://www.akc.org/legislative-alerts/breaking-news-u-s-dept-transportation-revises-airline-service-animals-rules/
| December 2, 2020
Michigan: Ask Your Senator TODAY to Support Bans on Breed-Specific Laws
An important bill for dogs and dog owners in Michigan continues to advance and could be considered by the Michigan Senate very soon. House Bill 4035 would protect the rights of responsible dog owners in the state by prohibiting municipalities from enacting breed-specific laws. As House Bill 4035 is currently written, local governments would still […]
https://www.akc.org/legislative-alerts/michigan-ask-senator-today-support-bans-breed-specific-laws/
| December 2, 2020
Update: Massachusetts Conference Committee Releases Final Law Enforcement Reform Bill That Maintains Police K-9 Practices
Yesterday, the Massachusetts Conference Committee of House and Senate members released SB 2963, a final 129-page compromise bill enacting law enforcement reforms. In addition to certification training and standards for law enforcement personnel oversight, it creates decertification and other disciplinary measures for police misconduct. The Massachusetts Legislature is expected to vote and send the bill […]
https://www.akc.org/legislative-alerts/update-massachusetts-conference-committee-releases-final-law-enforcement-reform-bill-maintains-police-k-9-practices/
| December 1, 2020
Regular Review of Texas’ Dog or Cat Breeders Rules to be Conducted
Every four years, Texas state agencies are required to review each of its rules and consider whether they should be re-adopted, revised, or repealed. The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR), the Texas state agency charged with carrying out enforcement of the state’s Dog or Cat Breeders Act, recently announced that it will begin […]
https://www.akc.org/legislative-alerts/regular-review-texas-dog-cat-breeders-rules-conducted/
| November 24, 2020
NC Info Update: Veterinary Board to Propose Amendment Restricting Artificial Insemination in 2021
The North Carolina Veterinary Medical Board (NCVMB) is expected to have legislation filed in 2021 that would seek to amend the part of the state’s Veterinary Practice Act. Currently, North Carolina law (NC GS § 90-187.10) defines what parties are required to be licensed to practice veterinary medicine in the state. That law also provides […]
https://www.akc.org/legislative-alerts/nc-info-update-veterinary-board-propose-amendment-restricting-artificial-insemination-2021/
| November 24, 2020
Montana Seeks to Update Field Trial and Bird Dog Training Regulations
In 2019, the Montana State Legislature passed House Bill 29, which changed the legal requirements for certain activities related to field trials and the training of dogs using captive-reared upland game birds. In response, the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks (FWP) worked with constituent groups, including representatives from most major sporting dog training […]
https://www.akc.org/legislative-alerts/montana-seeks-update-field-trial-bird-dog-training-regulations/
| November 20, 2020