Three Breeds Gain Full AKC Recognition The American Kennel Club® is pleased to welcome the Irish Red and White Setter, the Pyrenean Shepherd and the Norwegian Buhund as the 159th, 160th, and the 161st AKC® registered breeds. The Irish Red and White Setter will join the Sporting Group while both the Pyrenean Shepherd and the […]

Texas House Bill 652 would require animal shelters to provide notice to each person who adopts an animal from the shelter of any epizootic infectious disease that occurs among the animals in the shelter within a 15-days period before and after the date of transfer. “Epizootic” means the occurrence in a given geographic area or […]

Representative Trent VanHaaften today confirmed that House Bill 1607 will not move forward in its present form. This bill would have imposed requirements on breeders who either sold one dog for profit per year or breeders who sold six or more dogs per year. Rep. VanHaaften has indicated that he will welcome constructive input in […]

Massachusetts fanciers have reported that Rep. Paul Kujawski has once again proposed legislation (H1346) that defines anyone who breeds and sells more than one litter per year as a commercial breeder. Such individuals would further be subject to licensing and inspection. What You Can Do: The Joint Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture has […]

Vermont House Bill 578 is a multi-faceted animal cruelty bill that, as introduced, may impact artificial insemination practices and create a significant risk of depriving residents of their property.  The American Kennel Club (AKC) opposes H.578 as introduced, and urges all Vermont residents to contact legislative committee members to not advance H.578 unless substantively amended.  […]

At last week’s meeting of the House Criminal Justice Subcommittee, a problematic amendment was filed to House Bill 2034.  This bill seeks to create requirements and penalties for tethering/restraining dogs. Because the amendment removed practical exemptions for hunting and working dogs, the American Kennel Club (AKC) has changed its position on HB 2034 from “neutral” […]

A problematic animal cruelty bill is on the agenda of the Tennessee House Criminal Justice Subcommittee tomorrow, February 11, 2020, at 12:00pm.  House Bill 1643 seeks to require the court to impose a mandatory 2-year ban on custody of any companion animal for a person convicted of certain offenses involving animals.  In contrast, current law […]

On Tuesday, June 16, a North Carolina House committee will consider a bill regarding tethering and shelters for dogs.  Some provisions in these bills are reasonable and do protect dogs from being harmed while tethered or kept outside.  However, other provisions fail to take into account responsible practices that meet the needs of various dog […]

On Monday, April 28, the Texas House Public Health Committee considered House Bill 2806, which would dramatically broaden the definition of a "dangerous dog" and make it a misdemeanor offense if a dog causes "bodily injury." Under the Texas Penal Code, "bodily injury" is defined as physical pain, illness, or any impairment of physical condition. […]

The AKC has learned that MA H4516 and NY A1824--bills to prohibit insurance companies from discriminating against homeowners based on the breed of dog they own--will very soon be considered by their respective state legislatures. The American Kennel Club believes that insurance companies should determine coverage of a dog-owning household based on the dog's deeds, […]