Legislative Alerts

The Santa Fe County Commission is holding the first of two public hearings on Tuesday, September 13, on a proposal that would impact all dog owners residing or participating in events in the county. Those who reside or participate in events in the county are strongly encouraged to contact the committee, and if possible, attend […]

The Michigan House Local Government Committee will be considering a bill on Wednesday, September 7, that will prohibit municipalities from enacting breed-specific laws.  Localities may still enact laws regulating dogs, so long as they do not single out specific breeds. The AKC supports Senate Bill 239, which protects the rights of dog owners while still […]

AKC Government Relations has just learned that the recently-formed Ouachita Parish Animal Shelter Citizens’ Advisory Committee will consider mandatory spay/neuter and breeder licensing recommendations at its meeting tonight.  It is imperative that all concerned Ouachita Parish residents, members of AKC-affiliated clubs, and fanciers and enthusiasts in the area appear at tonight’s public meeting and express […]

Today, the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) published proposed updates to its regulations to make them consistent with existing requirements under the federal Animal Welfare Act AWA). These rules do not represent a change in current USDA policy regarding licensing. The proposed updates (known as a “proposed rule”) reflect changes to the […]

Assembly Bill 797, which seeks to allow private citizens to remove a companion animal from a vehicle if they believe that the animal is in imminent danger of suffering harm, is currently being considered by the California State Senate (second reading).    Summary: The AKC agrees that no person or animal should ever be left […]

Yesterday, AKC GR reported that Massachusetts Senate Bill 2370 was passed by the Senate with amendments.  Since then, we have learned that the bill has been given a new bill number and descriptive title, and assigned to the House Ways and Means Committee.  Now numbered as Senate Bill 2390, the bill is described as, “An […]

A proposal is scheduled for a vote on July 5 by the Baltimore County Council that would prohibit dogs being used for hunting or training on county-owned property.  Current law states that any dog being used for hunting or trained for hunting is exempt from the county’s at-large dog laws.  The AKC opposes the portion […]

The Town of Huntington, New York, has scheduled a public hearing on proposed changes to the town’s animal laws.  These include very broad definitions of when a dog would be considered “at large”, and outdoor tethering requirements that could actually harm dogs.  Those who reside in Huntington are encouraged to attend the hearing on Tuesday, […]

Yesterday, Massachusetts Senate Bill 2370, the “Act Relative to Protecting Puppies and Kittens” (previously Senate Bill 1103), was passed by the Massachusetts Senate.  The bill will now be sent to the Massachusetts House for its consideration.  AKC has several concerns with the bill including: New amendments– including expanded restrictions on dog breeders—to a measure that […]

New Jersey Senate Bill 63 has been placed on the agenda for a vote tomorrow, Thursday, June 30, in the New Jersey State Senate. It is imperative that all New Jersey fanciers, enthusiasts, breeders, and owners contact their state senator and Senate President Steve Sweeney and request SB 63 not be voted on Thursday; and […]