Legislative Alerts

On Tuesday, April 12, 2022, at 1pm the New Hampshire House Environment and Agriculture Committee is scheduled to hear testimony on SB 368, as amended.  The American Kennel Club (AKC) and the New Hampshire Dog Owners of the Granite State (NH DOGS) have significant concerns. New Hampshire residents are strongly encouraged to use the information […]

As mentioned in a previous alert, California Assembly Bill 1901 would regulate all dog trainers in the state as boarding kennels – regardless of the type of training class or the length of the class. The bill defines dog training very broadly and must be assumed to encompass every type of training, including drop-in classes, […]

UPDATE:  The Montgomery City Council did not take action on a proposed animal ordinance at its April 4, 2022 meeting.  It will likely be on the agenda of the April 19th meeting. This gives resident animal owners additional time to continue contacting city council members to state concerns with the proposed ordinance. As previously reported, […]

Today, the United States Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA APHIS) issued its 2021 Impact Report, which provides an overview of the agency’s activities and successes over the past year. In addition to its work in protecting crops and forests, livestock and poultry health, safe trade, healthy wildlife populations, and safe […]

The Arkansas Fish and Game Commission has proposed extensive updates to the state’s general hunting, miscellaneous wildlife, and general fishing regulations, which it will consider at its April 20-21, 2022, meeting.  Interested Arkansas residents and visitors who hunt and fish in Arkansas are encouraged to review and comment on the proposal. Of the 111 proposed […]

This week, the Georgia Senate enacted Senate Resolution 868, which recognizes May 1, 2022, as Purebred Dog Day in Georgia.  Congratulations to Gail LaBerge, president of the Georgia Canine Coalition (GCC); the American Kennel Club (AKC)-affiliated clubs and individuals who, through the GCC, are the collective voice of responsible dog owners in Georgia; and purebred […]

On Thursday, April 14, the Fauquier County (VA) Board of Supervisors will hold a public hearing and consider adopting clarifying amendments to zoning regulations governing small, non-commercial kennels in the county. Under the current zoning ordinance, a zoning permit is required for any breeding activity. County code further requires a dealer license for breeders who […]

The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR), which implements the state’s Dog or Cat Breeders Act (Act), has announced that there are two vacancies on its Licensed Breeders Advisory Committee: one for a veterinarian and one for a licensed breeder.  The volunteer, nine-member Committee provides advice and recommendations to the Texas Commission of Licensing […]

As mentioned in a previous alert, California Assembly Bill 1901 (authored by Assemblyman Nazarin of Hollywood Hills/Toluca would regulate all dog trainers in the state as boarding kennels – regardless of the type of training class or the length of the class. The definition of dog training is very broad and must be assumed to […]

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 […]