Yesterday the Missouri House Local Government Committee voted 8-4 in favor of two bills that will prohibit local municipalities from enacting breed-specific laws in the state. The bills will now be sent to the House Rules Administrative Oversight Committee for further consideration.
AKC supports House Bill 1588 and House Bill 1657 and encourages clubs and those who participate in dog events to contact the committee members and urge them to support both bills (Scroll down for contact information).
AKC had some concerns the bills would be amended to include mandatory spay and neuter language but fortunately neither bill was amended to include this provision. We thank those who took the time to contact the Local Government Committee expressing support for the bills and asking for no negative amendments.
More information can be found in this earlier alert.
How to Help:
Dog owners in Missouri should contact the members of the House Rules Administrative Oversight Committee to help them better understand why breed specific bans are ineffective and unfair to responsible dog owners and respectfully ask them to support House Bills 1588 and 1657.
Send email comments or make phone calls to the committee members listed below. If you are a constituent of any of these legislators be sure to share this information with them when you contact them:
House Local Government Committee:
Chair Rep J. Eggleston (Harrison and Daviess Counties)
Email: J.Eggleston@house.mo.gov
Phone: (573) 751-4285
Representative Scott Cupps (Lawrence, Stone and Barry Counties)
Email: Scott.Cupps@house.mo.gov
Phone: (573) 751-1488
Representative Ian Mackey (St. Louis County)
Email: Ian.Mackey@house.mo.gov
Phone: (573) 751-0100
Representative LaKeysha Bosley (St. Louis City)
Email: Lakeysha.Bosley@house.mo.gov
Phone: (573) 751-6800
Representative Shamed Dogan (St. Louis County)
Email: Shamed.Dogan@house.mo.gov
Phone: (573) 751-4392
Representative Travis Fitzwater (Callaway and Cole Counties)
Email: Travis.Fitzwater@house.mo.gov
Phone (573) 751-5226
Representative David Gregory (St. Louis County)
Email: David.Gregory@house.mo.gov
Phone: (573) 751-2159
Representative Kurtis Gregory (Saline, Johnson and Pettis Counties)
Email: Kurtis.Gregory@house.mo.gov
Phone: (573) 751-2204
Representative Brad Hudson (Christian, Stone and Taney Counties)
Email: Brad.Hudson@house.mo.gov
Phone: (573) 751-3851
Representative Keri Ingle (Jackson County)
Email: Keri.Ingle@house.mo.gov
Phone: (573) 751-1459
Representative Andrew McDaniel (Dunkin and Pemiscot Counties)
Email: Andrew.McDaniel@house.mo.gov
Phone: (573) 751-3629
Representative Peggy McGaugh (Chariton, Carroll and Ray Counties)
Email: Peggy.McGaugh@house.mo.gov
Phone: (573) 751-1468
Representative Jonathan Patterson (Jackson County)
Email: Jonathan.Patterson@house.mo.gov
Phone: (573) 751-0907
Representative David Smith (Boone County)
Email: David.Smith@house.mo.gov
Phone: (573) 751-4189
AKC Government Relations and the Missouri Federation of Animal Owners (MoFed) continue to closely monitor these and all legislative bills in Missouri impacting dog owners. For more information, contact AKC GR at doglaw@akc.org.