The American Kennel Club has announced that effective May 1, 2004, the Black Russian Terrier and the Neapolitan Mastiff have been granted regular status as AKC-recognized breeds and are eligible for competition in the Working Group, effective July 1, 2004. In addition, the Glen of Imaal Terrier is approved for AKC registration as of […]

The American Kennel Club welcomed Representative David Lewis to its operations center in Raleigh on Tuesday, November 22nd. Rep. Lewis, who represents Harnett County in the North Carolina General Assembly, was instrumental in getting a Canine Good Citizen Proclamation passed in the Tar Heel state this year. The proclamation officially recognizes the AKC's Canine Good […]

IMMEDIATE ACTION NEEDED! Rep. Mike Stewart has filed a last-minute amendment to an unrelated bill that seeks to enact problematic dog breeder legislation.  This action seeks to bypass the political process under which a bill is assigned to committee for careful consideration and a vote.  Further, this amendment has been filed without notification to constituent […]

House Bill 2303, which would require regulation, inspection, and potentially high registration fees for dog breeders, has been rescheduled for a vote in the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee on Tuesday, February 16. Its companion bill, Senate Bill 2175, has been rescheduled for a vote on Monday, February 22, in the Senate Energy, Agriculture, […]

March 1, 2019 A bill is scheduled for consideration in Illinois on Tuesday, March 5, that would assign a special advocate to “represent the interests of justice regarding the health or safety” of a dog or cat. The American Kennel Club (AKC) has concerns regarding the legal implications regarding House Bill 1631.  There is the […]

Pennsylvania House Bill 2553 will remove the state's prohibition on breed specific local ordinances, thereby allowing municipalities to adopt any type of law applicable to dangerous dogs, including breed-specific ordinances.  It is imperative that concerned dog owners in Pennsylvania contact their legislators and express their strong opposition to this bill.  The American Kennel Club supports […]

Today, the Vermont Senate attached domestic animal welfare protections to HB 729 (see below) and passed the amended bill.  It is now scheduled to be reviewed by the House Judiciary Committee today, at 1:15 PM. This action was taken because amended Vermont Senate Bill 155, which would establish a public safety agency and provide administrative […]

The Indiana House Agriculture and Rural Development Committee is considering a positive bill tomorrow (Tuesday, February 25) that will hold those accountable who sell dogs in Indiana, and also provide protections for Indiana residents buying a dog in the state. Senate Bill 185 includes many provisions, including: Prohibiting the sale of dogs or cats under […]

In response to a state Supreme Court decision last year that declared part of Ohio's breed-specific dangerous dog law unconstitutional , Representatives Kathy Walcher and Shawn Webster are sponsoring HB189. The bill makes significant revisions to the state's dangerous dog law, the most important being the repeal of an existing breed-specific provision that automatically declares […]

The Ohio House of Representatives Economic Development, Commerce, and Labor Committee is scheduled to consider a bill on Tuesday, October 24th, that would allow dogs in outdoor eating establishments, with permission from the business owner.