The Horry County (SC) County Council will hold the first of three votes on amendments to the county animal ordinance on Tuesday, August 17, 2021. Owners of pets and “large animals” are urged to review the proposed ordinance and express their concerns to council members. The numerous provisions that would affect dog owners include the […]

Following the recent defeat of proposed breeder regulations, New Jersey dog owners barely had time to catch their breaths before Senator Sharpe James, who is also Mayor of Newark, introduced the "Responsible Pit Bull Ownership Act" (S1718) late last week. S1718 Would Allow a Municipality To: Require a special license for all "pit bulls" ($150-700)-including […]

The California State Assembly will resume its session on August 15th, and SB 861 remains on the Assembly floor. Concerned dog owners will recall that the bill, which originally would have permitted municipalities to broadly regulate and/or restrict dogs based on their breed, was amended in June to only allow breed-specific measures that pertain to […]

Tomorrow (Thursday, April 9), the San Francisco Board of Supervisors' Public Safety and Neighborhood Services Committee will hold a hearing on a proposed ordinance (File No. 251162) that would institute mandatory spay, neuter, or chemical sterilization for nearly all dogs in San Francisco. If advanced, the proposal would go to the full Board of Supervisors […]

Two bills currently under consideration by the Oklahoma legislature seek to regulate some responsible dog breeders.  Representative Lee Denney of Cushing, who sponsored House Bill 1332 in 2009, is currently sponsoring House Bill 2745.  Known as the "Oklahoma Pet Quality Assurance and Protection Act," the bill seeks to create a voluntary program of compliance for […]

This week, Governor Josh Shapiro signed Senate Bill 746 into law (Act No. 18 of 2023), which makes several changes to the Commonwealth’s Dog Law, including requirements for licensed kennels (including rescues).  The Act becomes effective on January 21, 2024, and includes several changes including removing the difference in license fees for intact and sterilized animals.  It also […]

Tomorrow, Thursday, May 18, the New Jersey Assembly Appropriations Committee is scheduled to consider two bills that continue to raise significant constitutional concerns for dog owners.  Assembly Bill 2354 and Senate Bill 981 seek to establish court procedures for the seizure, care, and forfeiture of animals involved in animal cruelty violations. Despite the late timing […]

Tomorrow, Thursday, February 23, 2023, the South Carolina House Judiciary Committee’s Criminal Laws Subcommittee is scheduled to consider a troubling bill that would trample the due process rights of animal owners. House Bill 3682, the companion bill to Senate Bill 456, addresses disposition of animals seized due to alleged cruelty or neglect. As the bill […]

The New Hampshire Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee is scheduled to consider Senate Bill 569 on February 6, which seeks to significantly expand the state’s definition of ‘commercial kennel’ and impose bond for care requirements for those charged with cruelty.  The American Kennel Club and the Dog Owners of the Granite State, our New Hampshire federation, are […]

Dogs from the 50 States, Washington, D.C. and All Over the World Will Vie for Best in Show The AKC National Championship Presented by Royal Canin continues to top itself, drawing record numbers in its 19th year. An entry of 5,284 dogs will compete for the title of National Champion on December 14 and 15, […]