Legislative Alerts

The Ohio House Agriculture & Natural Resources Committee has scheduled a public hearing on House Bill 79 for Wednesday, April 14.  This bill, sponsored by Representative Barbara Sears of Lucas County, removes the term "pit bull" from Ohio’s statutory definition of dangerous dogs.  Ohio is currently the only state to have enacted statewide breed-specific legislation.  […]

Florida Senate Bill 122, sponsored by Senator Larcenia Bullard, will be considered by the Florida Senate Agriculture Committee on Wednesday, April 7th, at 9:00 AM.  The bill seeks to require pet dealers to provide purchasers with written notices that impugn the genetic health of purebred dogs and increases fines to unreasonable amounts.  The American Kennel […]

The Wisconsin Senate Committee on Ethics Reform and Government Operations will hold a public hearing on Senate Bill 580 on Tuesday, April 6, 2010.  SB 580 seeks to amend state statutes regarding the seizure and subsequent care of animals whose owners are suspected of mistreatment or dog fighting and are engaged in a legal proceeding.  […]

The Jefferson Parish (LA) Council will consider several changes to the Parish’s animal ordinance on Wednesday, March 24.  In addition to other provisions imposes breeder permits and requires dogs to be spayed or neutered upon a second redemption from the Parish’s animal shelter during the lifetime of the animal.  The American Kennel Club opposes several […]

Oklahoma Senate Bill 1340 and Senate Bill 1712, which seek to provide state oversight over certain dog breeders, will be considered by the House Economic Development and Financial Services Committee on Wednesday, March 24.  We strongly urge all concerned responsible dog breeders and owners in Oklahoma to consider the provisions of the bills (described below), […]

The Maryland Dog Federation has presented Baltimore Delegate Cheryl Glenn with an amendment to House Bill 1314.  Should the amendment be accepted, the bill, which seeks to strengthen the state’s dangerous dog law, would also provide that: "Nothing...shall...prevent a municipality from adopting or enforcing its own more stringent program for the control of dangerous dogs […]

Last week, House Bill 344, which seeks to ban the surgical devocalization of dogs, passed the Massachusetts House of Representatives. The bill is now under the consideration of the Senate Committee on Rules and Ethics. The American Kennel Club is concerned that, if enacted, this legislation will lead to the unnecessary euthanization of many animals.  […]

Memphis City Councilman Shea Flinn will hold a public meeting on March 16th at 4pm on the proposed breed-specific mandatory spay/neuter ordinance. It is vital that responsible owners and breeders attend this meeting and voice their opposition to this ineffective and burdensome ordinance. Memphis Public Meeting March 16th at 4pm City Council Chambers 125 N. […]

Yesterday, after amending the bill to have it conform to its House companion, the Minnesota Senate Agricultural and Veterans Committee voted down Senate File 7.  The bill sought to regulate the activities of dog owners/breeders who possess six or more adult intact female dogs. This action effectively prohibits further consideration of SF 7 by the […]

Two bills currently under consideration by the Oklahoma legislature seek to regulate some responsible dog breeders.  Representative Lee Denney of Cushing, who sponsored House Bill 1332 in 2009, is currently sponsoring House Bill 2745.  Known as the "Oklahoma Pet Quality Assurance and Protection Act," the bill seeks to create a voluntary program of compliance for […]