Legislative Alerts

Last week, the San Marcos City Council gave initial unanimous support of an ordinance that will mandate spay/neuter for all dogs following a first offense of the city’s at large dog ordinance. Additionally, this ordinance will prohibit the sale of dogs at pet stores sourced from dog breeders. There will be one more reading of […]

To comply with legislation enacted in 2021, the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) has proposed new general rules about the inspections it conducts, including for dog breeders licensed by the State of Texas. Texas dog breeders should be licensed by the state if they (1) possess 11 or more adult intact female dogs […]

The American Kennel Club (AKC) is deeply concerned with anti-breeder language that’s currently part of important federal appropriations legislation. Please join us in contacting your representatives in the U.S. House and Senate, especially if you are represented by a member of House or Senate leadership and/or the Appropriations Committees, to respectfully urge opposition to provisions […]

Please share this information with responsible animal owners in Washington County and Johnson City, Tennessee. The “Johnson City Press” reports that an animal rights lobbying seminar is scheduled for November 1, 2022, 6:30-8:00pm, at the Memorial Park Community Center, 510 Bert Street, Johnson City, Tennessee. Per the article, this event is hosted by the Washington County/Johnson […]

On Friday, October 14, 2022, Governor John Carney signed Senate Substitute 1 to Senate Bill 258 (known as Izzy the Cat’s Act).  It provides for the awarding of compensatory damages for injury or death of a companion animal as a result of a tortious act. As signed by the Governor, when these acts are committed, […]

The New Braunfels City Council voted this week 4-3 in favor of an ordinance that will prohibit pet stores from selling dogs sourced from dog breeders at a city council meeting on Monday, October 10. The ordinance is likely to receive final consideration at an October 24, 2022, meeting. This ordinance will limit pet choice […]

The Rockingham County Board of Supervisors has added a discussion regarding the proposed breeding kennel ordinance to the October 12, 2022, meeting agenda. Please note this is not a public hearing, rather a discussion among Board members with no action anticipated.  This discussion follows recent action by the Board of Supervisors to table the proposal […]

Two new Maryland laws that could impact dog owners are now in effect. The first requires that dogs left unattended in extreme weather have suitable shelter.  The other addresses “Cost of Animal Care” and requires individuals whose animals have been seized due to charges of cruelty or severe neglect to pay the cost of caring […]

The Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (MassWildlife) is proposing regulatory amendments to the rules for Retriever or Bird Dog Trials.  Interested purebred dog enthusiasts who participate in field events in Massachusetts are encouraged to review the proposed changes and share comments or concerns with DFW. The proposal would: Allow field trials to occur on […]

After receiving public comment on a proposed Dog Kennel Ordinance, the Rockingham County, VA, Board of Supervisors voted to table the proposal at its September 28 public hearing. As noted in a previous alert, the proposed ordinance could have impacted local hobby kennels.  Although some positive changes were made to the original version of the […]