Legislative Alerts

The United States Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has issued a new federal order that imposes restrictions on the importation of live dogs for resale from regions where African swine fever (ASF) exists or is reasonably believed to exist. Regions include: The continent of Africa, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bhutan, Brazil (excluding […]

On Tuesday, August 10, the Manatee County (FL) Board of County Commissioners are scheduled to vote on a proposed animal ordinance that seeks to ban the sale of dogs and cats by “commercial establishments.” This not only would ban sales of dogs and cats in pet stores, it would ban the sale of a dog […]

Today, Senators Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and Tina Smith (D-MN) introduced a measure to require that all dogs imported into the U.S. meet minimum health standards as demonstrated in a health certificate issued by a recognized veterinary authority in the country of origin. The Senate Healthy Dog Importation Act of 2021 joins companion measure HR 4239 […]

On August 2, the City of Stamford’s Board of Representatives met virtually to vote on the proposed tethering ordinance, as amended by the Legislative and Rules Committee on July 20, 2021.  The lengthy discussion before final adoption of text begins 36 minutes into the meeting, which can be viewed on video here. Final text includes […]

Yesterday, Governor Sununu signed H. 338 into law, making the tampering or removal of a dog’s collar or microchip a misdemeanor crime.  It also increases the penalty for stealing a dog, from a misdemeanor to a class B felony, for anyone guilty of multiple offenses.  These changes, effective January 1, 2022, are expected to act […]

The Virginia Board of Wildlife Resources as proposed amendments to the Commonwealth’s regulations governing hunting, trapping, and terrestrial wildlife specifically as they relate to Coyote and Furbearer Hunting Contests which could impact field trials and similar training events.  Online comment submission closes July 30, 2021. As proposed, a new section to Title 4 of the […]

Last February, the Connecticut Department of Agriculture finalized rules for the operations of animal shelters and other regulated entities.  However, in May, the Legislative Regulation Review Committee advised the Department of Agriculture of substantive and technical corrections needed prior to approving the rules.  Late last week, the Department of Agriculture responded to the request by […]

On July 20, the City of Stamford’s Legislative and Rules Committee met virtually to consider additional input on the city’s proposed tethering ordinance from fellow board members who had been contacted by their constituents with requests for amendments.  Video of the meeting can be viewed here. The Committee spent one hour and 45 minutes discussing […]

The Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA) recently published proposed amendments to the regulations that carry out the state’s Animal Welfare Act.  These regulations would apply to all state licensed breeders, which in current law is anyone who raises and sells dogs they have bred, and have more than five females “capable of reproduction.” The proposed […]

Animal rights activists are currently collecting signatures in Oregon to place a measure on the 2022 ballot that would have a detrimental impact on hunting, many breeding procedures, and other animal husbandry practices in the state. Oregon Initiative Petition 13 claims to be stopping animal cruelty practices in the state, but instead would essentially ban […]