Legislative Alerts

The American Kennel Club (AKC) submitted a letter of concern and recommended certain amendments to House Bill 607, which seeks to impose mandatory minimum penalties for a first offense of cruelty to animals.  AKC is concerned that the bill could result in reduced, rather than enhanced, enforcement of animal cruelty laws. AKC supports full enforcement […]

On February 15, the Committee on Innovation, Development, Economic Advancement and Business unanimously voted in support of LD 1885, as amended, which seeks to increase Maine’s veterinary workforce through updates to the state’s Veterinary Medicine Loan Program.  The program provides competitive, need-based, forgivable loan for Maine students pursuing a career as a veterinarian. While, the […]

The American Kennel Club’s Government Relations Department (AKC GR) just learned that a proposed animal ordinance is scheduled for a vote by the Montgomery City Council on Tuesday, April 5, 2022. At the time of this alert, AKC has received information about certain provisions of the proposed ordinance.  An official copy of the proposed ordinance […]

Addressing concerns raised by the American Kennel Club (AKC) and other stakeholders, the Connecticut Joint Environment Committee has proposed a substitute bill to SB 234.  Among other provisions, the new substitute text in HB 5295, would require the Agriculture Commissioner to convene a working group to help develop a plan to create a state-wide online […]

Over the past couple weeks, AKC Government Relations has sent out several alerts regarding bills impacting dog owners in the state. With bill hearing deadlines looming at the end of the month, a number of hearings will be scheduled over the next few weeks. Below are updates on the latest status on each one and […]