Legislative Alerts

Two ordinances on the agenda of the Collier County, Florida, Board of County Commissioners meeting for February 25, 2020, seek to establish overreaching and onerous regulations for both hobby breeders and commercial breeders.  Concerned dog owners are urged to immediately contact County Commissioners and attend the meeting on Tuesday. Under current law, all breeders, including […]

Congratulations to AKC’s New Hampshire federation, the Dog Owners of the Granite State (NH DOGS), and breeders and owners for their ongoing successful advocacy campaign.   Consistent with AKC and NH DOGS testimony and recommendations, the New Hampshire House of Representatives voted as follows: HB 1683 – criminalize the cropping/docking, dewclaw removal or debarking of a […]

New Hampshire bills that seek to allow members of the public to enter vehicles to rescue animals they suspect of being in danger have been scheduled for legislative committee consideration.  On Thursday, February 20, 2020, SB 608 will be considered by the Senate Judiciary Committee in a public hearing, while HB 1542 will be decided […]

Committee TODAY, February 19, 2020, at 2:00pm.  Senate Bill 196 would bring animal enterprises and working animals under the jurisdiction of the state Department of Agriculture and Industries. By placing the regulation of animal enterprise under state oversight, AKC believes this can better provide protections for the health and safety of dogs in the state, […]

Today, the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) announced that it is restoring certain formerly-redacted portions of USDA dealer/breeder licensee records on its searchable online database. In 2017, APHIS removed certain records from its database to address potential privacy concerns.  APHIS then reposted most of the documents, but […]

The Illinois House Commerce and Economic Development Committee is scheduled to consider a bill, S 3078, on Thursday (February 20), that would repeal consumer protections for pet purchasers passed in 2017. The measure would further require that pet stores could sell only dogs from an animal shelter or rescue distributor/facility. The current law - the […]

Alabama House Bill 209 seeks to authorize food service establishments to allow pet dogs in outdoor restaurant seating areas if the company wishes to do so.  It requires that the dog be leashed or in a pet carrier and under control, and sets out access, sanitation, and other requirements. HB 209 specifies that only service […]

The Michigan House Local Government and Municipal Finance Committee will be considering a bill tomorrow (Wednesday, February 19), that seeks to protect the rights of responsible dog owners in the state by prohibiting municipalities from enacting breed-specific policies.  This would be a significant step forward for Michigan dog owners, as there are several localities that […]

A bill is advancing in Colorado that would expand the powers of the state’s Bureau of Animal Protection agents. Currently, the purpose of the Bureau of Animal Protection as stated on the Department of Agriculture’s website, is to “serve as a support mechanism to local law enforcement agencies in conducting animal cruelty and neglect investigations.”  […]

Senate Bill 1698, which seeks to regulate Florida pet stores, has been rescheduled to be heard by the Senate Committee on Innovation, Industry, and Technology on Monday, February 17, 2020.   Among other provisions, this bill would require Florida pet stores to be licensed by the state Department of Business and Professional Regulation, set out requirements […]