Legislative Alerts

A group of Michigan citizens and law enforcement, led by the Genesee County Sheriff's Office, are holding a public forum tonight (Monday, March 20) at 6:00pm Eastern Time to discuss and answer questions about a potential 2024 statewide ballot measure to change animal cruelty laws in the state. This virtual forum is free and open […]

The New Jersey Assembly Agriculture and Food Safety is scheduled to consider two bills this week that raise constitutional concerns for dog owners.  Assembly Bill 2354 and Senate Bill 981 seek to establish court procedures for the seizure, care, and forfeiture of animals involved in animal cruelty violations.  The American Kennel Club (AKC) remains concerned […]

The Lafayette, Colorado, City Council is discussing a proposal tomorrow (Tuesday, March 21) that would ban the sale of all dogs in the city – including private sales. Lafayette residents and those who have provided a dog to a Lafayette resident are encouraged to do the following: 1) Attend Tuesday’s hearing and express your concerns: […]

House Bill 2238 will require anyone who owns 5 or more intact female dogs over 6 months of age to become a state licensed dog breeder – even if they never breed a litter or sell a single dog. The bill has been scheduled for a hearing on Wednesday, March 22. Sponsors have indicated their […]

On Tuesday (March 21), a North Carolina committee will consider a bill to end “pet leasing” in the state. According to the bill’s legislative findings, House Bill 226 will address a problem “on the rise” where customers enter into contractual agreements where they make monthly payments to “lease” a dog, and they do not end […]

Yesterday, two Connecticut General Assembly Joint Committees separately voted to advance bills supported by the American Kennel Club (AKC) and the Connecticut Federation of Dog Clubs and Responsible Dog Owners (CFDRDO). SB 932, relative to protections for police K-9 and volunteer search and rescue dogs, was unanimously supported by members of the Public Safety and […]

The voices of Tennessee’s responsible dog owners have been heard! Three bills that would have criminalized safe and effective dog care practices did not advance in Tennessee legislative committees this week. Certain provisions in each bill could have resulted in cruelty charges against an owner and confiscation of animals absent harm—or even discomfort—to a dog. […]

Continued action is needed on extremely overreaching and punitive dog breeder bills in Florida. Senate Bill 1492 and House Bill 1581 would define any unsterilized female dog over the age of six months as a “breeding female” and would require her owner to register with the state as a “breeder,” pay significant fees, and be […]

On Tuesday, March 14, a bill that seeks to clarify existing law concerning nonprofit corporations’ ability to bring legal action against cases of animal cruelty passed unanimously out of the Assembly Judiciary Committee. As passed by the committee, the bill includes an amendment addressing the AKC’s concerns that the original text could have allowed for […]

The Lafayette, Colorado, City Council has asked staff to draft an ordinance to ban all sales of dogs and cats in the city, except for those from shelters and rescues. The City of Lafayette already has a dog ownership limit which restricts breeders in city limits, but it is unclear if this proposal would prevent […]