Legislative Alerts

Tomorrow, March 10, 2022 at 4:00 pm the Maryland House Judiciary Committee will be voting on a bill that would allow a person to receive damages for mental distress or emotional harm caused by the injury or death of a companion animal. The sponsor and supporters of House Bill 1375 are attempting to make it […]

On Monday, March 14, the New Jersey Senate Environment and Energy Committee will consider two dog-related bills of serious concern to the American Kennel Club (AKC).  Among many other provisions, Senate Bill 333 seeks to permit courts, upon conviction, to order the forfeiture of any animal owned by an animal cruelty offender and the transfer […]

The Maryland House Judicial Proceedings Committee will be holding a hearing on Senate Bill 877 tomorrow, March 8, 2022 at 1:00pm.  This bill addresses the issue of animals that are seized and the costs of their care during impoundment. AKC strongly believes that those who treat animals in a cruel manner should be held accountable […]

The Kentucky Senate deferred action on Senate Bill 125 on Friday, so there is still time to call and send email messages to state senators asking them to “VOTE NO on SB 125.”  The Senate convenes again today at 4:00 p.m., and could vote on the bill this afternoon. SB 125 seeks to create a […]

AKC Government Relations (AKC GR) encourages Rhode Island residents to take action as soon as possible on H. 7678, which seeks to create court-appointed legal advocates for animals. The bill will be considered by the House Judiciary Committee at a public hearing on Thursday, March 10, 2022, starting after the House session ends, at approximately […]

New York dog owners are encouraged to contact the Senate Insurance Committee TODAY in support of S. 8315, which would provide further protections against breed discrimination in homeowners insurance.  The committee will be considering the bill on Monday, March 7.  Scroll down for contact information. Summary: In 2021, a new law supported by AKC was […]

Bills regulating dogs being outdoors and unattended in certain weather conditions and temperatures continue to advance in the Maryland Senate. Yesterday, the Maryland Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee voted to give a favorable report on Senate Bill 44 as introduced.  The bill now goes to the full Senate where it is up for second consideration tomorrow, […]

AKC GR has just learned that Kentucky Senate Bill 125, a fast-tracked measure that seeks to create troublesome cost of care laws, has been scheduled for consideration by the full Senate tomorrow, Friday, March 4.  All Kentucky dog owners are strongly encouraged to contact their state senator and urge them to vote against SB 125. […]

The Connecticut Joint Environment Committee has raised SB 234, and scheduled a Monday, March 7, 2022, public hearing on the bill.  In addition to a handful of provisions under the oversight of the Department of Agriculture, the bill includes significant changes to current kennel and dog license rules.  These proposed changes to the current law […]

New Braunfels, TX will convene a meeting of the Animal Services Advisory Board tomorrow, March 3 at 6:00pm to discuss options and recommendations for the development of an ordinance to regulate the sales of dogs within commercial animal establishments. This ordinance could limit pet choice and consumer protections for New Braunfels area families seeking a […]