The West Virginia Legislature has passed Senate Bill 437, which will regulate those who own 11 or more intact dogs over one year of age "for the exclusive purpose of actively breeding." The bill now goes to the governor for his signature. Those who keep or breed dogs "for the purpose of herding or guarding […]

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 […]

As the 89th Texas Regular Session draws to a close, the legislative landscape for dog owners has shifted dramatically in recent weeks. With several crucial deadlines now behind us, the majority of pending bills, including many impacting dogs and their owners, are officially off the table for this session. Yesterday marked the last opportunity for […]

The Virginia Senate is expected to vote very soon on a bill that would prohibit the humane tethering of dogs unless the temperature is above 32 degrees or below 85 degrees. The AKC strongly believes that no dog should ever be kept in a situation where its health or safety is at risk.  However, Senate […]

Thursday, June 20, 2019 Despite loud outcries from New Hampshire voters and members of the House Environment and Agriculture Committee, Senate and House budget negotiators have agreed in House Bill 2 (the negotiated budget bill) to policy changes that the American Kennel Club (AKC) and NH Dog Owners of the Granite State (NH DOGS) are […]

Yesterday, the Arizona Senate Committee on Natural Resources, Energy, and Water considered multiple bills regarding animals.  As reported in a previous alert, this includes bills regulating dogs outdoors and expanding the laws regarding animals seized on suspicion of cruelty. SB 1047 amends current cruelty laws, including providing new reasonable provisions regarding shelters for dogs kept […]

On Monday, June 14, the New Jersey Assembly Agriculture Committee will consider three dog-related bills.  It is imperative that American Kennel Club (AKC)-affiliated clubs in New Jersey, and breeders, owners, and performance dog enthusiasts, contact the members of the New Jersey Assembly Agriculture Committee and respectfully urge them to amend A.1365 and amend S.1258/A.2319. AMEND […]

The American Kennel Club’s Government Relations Department (AKC GR) has just learned that Georgia House Bill 1450, entitled the Georgia Safe Outdoor Dog Act, will be considered by the House Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Committee tomorrow, Wednesday, March 2, 2022, at 9AM. As currently worded, the measure establishes some good practices to assure the health […]

Yesterday, the West Virginia Senate passed an amended version of Senate Bill 437. This newly amended version of the bill addressed many of the issues with the bill; however, the AKC remains concerned about the definition of commercial breeder. This is now defined vaguely as one who owns 11 or more intact dogs (male or […]

  Law Will Broaden and Strengthen Existing Dog Fighting Prohibitions in Animal Welfare Act New York—The American Kennel Club® has urged Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA), Chair of the Senate Agriculture Committee and Ranking Member Saxby Chamblis (R-GA) to include in the Senate farm bill an amendment to be proposed by Senator John Kerry (D-MA) which […]