Legislative Alerts

A bill has been approved by the U.S. House Rules Committee that would allow dog and cat owners to take their dogs on Amtrak trains under certain circumstances.  H.R. 749 is a comprehensive passenger train bill that in part would require Amtrak, when feasible, to designate at least one car where passengers may transport a […]

A bill to protect the rights of responsible dog owners in Kentucky passed in the Senate Agriculture Committee and has advanced to the Senate Rules Committee.  Senate Bill 124 seeks to prohibit local governments from passing any ordinance, regulation, or policy that is specific to a breed of dog.  For this bill to become law […]

The Maryland House Economic Matters Committee is scheduled to consider a bill tomorrow (Tuesday, March 3) that contains some very troubling legislative findings (including implying that breeders are the reason dogs end up in shelters) and also restricts certain pet sales in the state. AKC encourages Maryland residents to contact the committee and respectfully educate […]

UPDATE: The proposed mandatory spay/neuter ordinance has been removed from today’s agenda and tentatively rescheduled for March 10th. AKC will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates. If you have not yet written a letter or email, please do so. On Tuesday, March 3rd, the Long Beach City Council will hear and vote on […]

Montana dog owners are urged to contact their state senators TODAY and respectfully ask for a “yes” vote to reconsider and pass Senate Bill 239, a bill that would prohibit local governments from enacting or enforcing laws that apply only to specific breeds or perceived breeds of dog. SB 239 does not restrict a local […]

New Hampshire House Bill 661, sponsored by Representative Janice Gardner, would require licensed animal shelters and rescues to compile, maintain, and report certain records for the animals they provide care for.  The bill will be considered by the House Executive Departments and Administration Committee on Tuesday, February 17.  All New Hampshire residents are encouraged to […]

The Maryland House Judiciary Committee is scheduled to consider a bill on Thursday, February 19, that would amend the state’s tethering laws and ban dogs from being left tethered outdoors in extreme hot or cold conditions.  However, like a Senate bill recently considered, this bill as introduced prohibits any dog from being tethered outside unattended […]

A bill recently introduced in the Iowa Senate would likely have an extremely damaging impact on breeders and fanciers.  This bill is expected to move very quickly.  It is imperative that Iowa dog owners and breeders contact their State Senator TODAY and ask them to oppose Senate File 168.  Click here to find the name […]

The Nebraska Legislature’s Agriculture Committee will consider several bills on Tuesday, February 17 that will impact dog owners and breeders, including a bill (LB 377) that could force a dog owner to forfeit their animals for only a suspicion of animal cruelty – even before a conviction by the court. AKC encourages dog owners and […]

On February 16, 2015, the Montana Senate Local Government Committee is scheduled to consider Senate Bill 239, a bill that seeks to protect the rights of responsible dog owners in Montana.  SB 239 would prohibit local governments from enacting or enforcing an ordinance, policy, resolution or other regulation that is specific to the breed or […]