Legislative Alerts

House Bill 1468 has passed the Indiana General Assembly and been signed by Governor Mitch Daniels. When the bill passed the House of Representatives, it contained numerous egregious provisions including limits on dog ownership, restrictive breeding ages, stringent care and conditions, and consumer protection provisions that provided no recourse for the breeder. Thanks to the […]

Because of procedural maneuvering in the Texas Legislature, harsh breeder regulatory legislation is now very close to becoming law in the Lone Star State.  It is vital that all concerned responsible dog breeders and owners in Texas take immediate action in opposition to this bill.  On Wednesday, May 6, Senator Tommy Williams of The Woodlands […]

The AKC is pleased to announce the launch of the new AKC Government Relations Legislation Tracking Service.  This new service enables you to check the status of all 2009 canine legislation in each of the 50 states, as well as federal legislation. To use this service, go to the AKC Government Relations web page, www.akc.org/canine_legislation […]

In mid-March, Ohio Representative Barbara Sears of Lucas County introduced House Bill 79, which 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. The current law states that if a dog "belongs to a breed that is commonly known as […]

On Thursday, April 30, Connecticut Senate Bill 499, which seeks to impose several changes to Connecticut's consumer protection laws, passed the state's Senate with burdensome last-minute amendments. The bill is now in the House of Representatives. While the American Kennel Club (AKC) supports reasonable consumer protection laws that protect both puppy purchasers and responsible dog breeders, […]

Two new bills in the New York State Senate would severely limit the operations of responsible dog breeders in the Empire State. The American Kennel Club opposes these bills, and strongly encourages all concerned responsible dog breeders and owners in New York to contact the members of the Senate Agriculture Committee, which currently has cognizance […]

Senate Bill 460, a bill which regulates breeders and infringes on the rights of responsible dog owners, passed the North Carolina Senate Commerce Committee today.  The bill now goes to the Senate Finance Committee.  The Finance hearing could be scheduled for as early as next Tuesday.  It is essential that responsible dog owners and breeders […]

Beginning Friday, May 1, any dog weighing over 25 pounds, including Rottweilers, Doberman Pinschers and  "pit bulls", among many others, will be prohibited in housing controlled by the New York City Housing Authority.  The American Kennel Club has sent a letter to the Housing Authority, Mayor Michael Bloomberg, and the New York City Council opposing […]

The American Kennel Club Government Relations Department has confirmed that Senate Bill 460 will be considered by the North Carolina Senate Commerce Committee on Thursday, April 30.  Details are as follows: DATE: Thursday, April 30, 2009 TIME: 9:00 AM – Please plan to be arrive no later than 8:30 AM, dressed in professional attire. LOCATION: […]

The AKC Government Relations Department has learned that Senate Bill 460, which seeks to regulate breeders, could be heard in the Senate Commerce committee on Thursday, April 30, or early next week.  It is essential that all North Carolina responsible dog owners and breeders contact the Senate Commerce Committee TODAY and express your opposition to […]