Two bills with a positive benefit to Arizona dog owners have passed Senate committees and will likely soon be considered by the full Senate.
Arizona residents are encouraged to reach out to their State Senator and ask them to support House Bill 2323 and House Bill 2626. Visit AKC’s Legislative Action Center and type your address in the “Find Officials” box on the right side of the home page to find the contact information for your State Senator.
House Bill 2323 – Banning Homeowner’s and Renter’s Insurance Dog Breed Discrimination
As explained in a previous alert, House Bill 2323 will ensure that insurance companies cannot discriminate against dog owners applying for homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policies based solely on the breed of dog they own.
This bill would protect responsible dog owners seeking insurance coverage, while still holding all dog owners accountable for the actions of their dog, regardless of the breed they choose to own.
House Bill 2626 – Requiring Shelters to Scan for Microchips
House Bill 2626, among other provisions, will require shelters to scan for a microchip and make efforts to locate owners when a dog is impounded. The bill also requires veterinarians to thoroughly scan for a microchip when a stray animal is brought into their clinic. This bill will help reunite lost dogs more quickly with their owners.
AKC Government Relations continues to monitor bills in Arizona impacting dog owners and will provide more information as it is available. For more information, contact AKC GR at doglaw@akc.org.