The Connecticut Joint Planning and Development Committee’s public hearing agenda for Monday, February 24, 2025, includes HB 6998, which would (1) require dog license renewals every three years, not annually; (2) require an owner to annually submit a valid rabies certificate for each dog to the town clerk; and (3) impose no penalty for failure to comply with proof of current rabies immunization. The American Kennel Club (AKC) is concerned with HB 6998 and encourages all concerned Connecticut residents to share their experiences with the Planning and Development Committee.
WHAT IS THE FUSS WITH HB 6998?
HB 6998 appears to be a well-intentioned measure to reduce municipal administrative tasks and expenses by simply requiring dog license renewals every three years without changing the licensing fees.
AKC’s concern is that irresponsible owners could allow a dog’s immunization to expire during the three-year license period without consequence. An unvaccinated at-large dog could bite someone outside of town hall business hours and there would be no way to quickly confirm whether the dog’s vaccination was up to date. Rabies can be transmitted to humans if they are bitten by an infected pet, and it is commonly known to be 100% fatal once clinical symptoms appear. Any delay in confirming a dog’s vaccination status could result in much distress and unnecessary medical treatments for the victim. Further, if the license renewal fees charged every three years resulted in simply tripling the current annual fees included in statute, the perceived larger expense could further discourage owners’ timely compliance.
Municipalities routinely issuing dog licenses at the same time of year is an enforcement measure that keeps dog owners in compliance with rabies vaccination schedules because an owner cannot obtain a license without a current rabies certificate. Those who own one or multiple dogs are annually forced to review every dog’s rabies expiration date and make appropriate vaccination plans prior to dog license renewal. The annual requirement serves as proof that a dog with a valid license is currently vaccinated.
WHAT YOU CAN DO:
- Immediately register your opposition with the Planning and Development Committee by completing this form.
- Fill in the fields for your name, and select “February 24, 2025, 10:30AM” from the “Hearing Date and Time” drop down menu.
- Select “HB06998 REQUIRING THE LICENSING OF DOGS EVERY THREE YEARS”.
- On the right-hand side, select “Opposes”.
- Please select “Type In My Testimony” under “How do I want to submit my testimony?” to share your objections or select “Upload a file I select” to upload written testimony in PDF format. Then, click on the button “Submit Testimony”. Please be aware that all submitted testimony is public record.
In addition, you may speak at the February 24, 2025, 10:30AM public hearing in person or remotely. To do either, you must register by following these details before the hearing begins.
AKC Government Relations (AKC GR) will provide additional information as developments warrant. For more information, contact AKC GR at doglaw@akc.org.