Legislative Alerts

The United States Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA APHIS) conducts inspections of a wide variety of animal facilities, including dog kennels and breeding facilities as part of its role in enforcing the Federal Animal Welfare Act (AWA).    The USDA has recently revised its inspections appeals process to ensure that those […]

The North Carolina House of Representatives is currently considering the state budget.  Thanks to your efforts, the budget does not currently include the significant expansion of dog owner regulations. However, AKC understands that amendments will likely be offered in a House Appropriations Committee meeting tomorrow, June 11, to add language in the budget to define […]

Yesterday, the Rhode Island House Health, Education, and Welfare Committee held House Bill 8205 for further study. This means that the bill was not approved by the committee, but that it may further consider the bill at a later date during the remainder of the 2014 legislative session. The AKC commends the many Rhode Island […]

New York Senate Committees will consider two bills next week that would benefit New York dogs and responsible dog owners. Senate Bill 1495 would criminalize stealing a pet from someone’s property, and Senate Bill 6418 amends current law to further protect dogs left in vehicles under extreme temperatures. New York residents are encouraged to contact […]

New York City to Consider Mandatory Sterilization, Other Restrictions on Pet Sales on April 30 April 25, 2014 The New York City Council Committee on Health is scheduled to consider several measures on Wednesday, April 30, that create excessive restrictions on all breeders or pet shops who sell a pet. Among the many new requirements […]

April 25, 2014 Through another procedural move, the bill number for the onerous breeder regulations bill has once again changed. The bill was also amended and passed out of the Senate Ways and Means Committee and is now pending in the Senate. The amendments made to this bill are not in the best interest of […]

April 25, 2014 The Missouri Senate has just scheduled floor debate for the Senate version of the bill to prohibit Missouri counties and municipalities from enacting breed-specific legislation. All current breed-specific ordinances in the state would also be voided. Those who reside or participate in dog events in Missouri are strongly encouraged to contact the […]

New York City to Consider Mandatory Sterilization, Other Restrictions on Pet Sales on April 30 April 25, 2014 The New York City Council Committee on Health is scheduled to consider several measures on Wednesday, April 30, that create excessive restrictions on all breeders or pet shops who sell a pet. Among the many new requirements […]

The Maryland House Judiciary Committee has scheduled a public hearing for Thursday, March 27 to discuss a bill (SB 660) that would ban debarking. A second measure (SB 659) would require ear cropping, tail docking and dewclaw removal to be performed by a licensed veterinarian. These bills have already passed the Senate, and the House […]

On Thursday, January 23, the Maryland General Assembly will once again consider bills to overturn a 2012 court ruling that declared all "pit bulls" as dangerous. Maryland residents are encouraged to contact the Maryland House Judiciary Committee and ask them to support overturning this discriminatory ruling. Residents are also encouraged to express any other comments […]