Legislative Alerts

UPDATE: The proposed mandatory spay/neuter ordinance has been removed from today’s agenda and tentatively rescheduled for March 10th. AKC will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates. If you have not yet written a letter or email, please do so. On Tuesday, March 3rd, the Long Beach City Council will hear and vote on […]

Montana dog owners are urged to contact their state senators TODAY and respectfully ask for a “yes” vote to reconsider and pass Senate Bill 239, a bill that would prohibit local governments from enacting or enforcing laws that apply only to specific breeds or perceived breeds of dog. SB 239 does not restrict a local […]

New Hampshire House Bill 661, sponsored by Representative Janice Gardner, would require licensed animal shelters and rescues to compile, maintain, and report certain records for the animals they provide care for.  The bill will be considered by the House Executive Departments and Administration Committee on Tuesday, February 17.  All New Hampshire residents are encouraged to […]

The Maryland House Judiciary Committee is scheduled to consider a bill on Thursday, February 19, that would amend the state’s tethering laws and ban dogs from being left tethered outdoors in extreme hot or cold conditions.  However, like a Senate bill recently considered, this bill as introduced prohibits any dog from being tethered outside unattended […]

A bill recently introduced in the Iowa Senate would likely have an extremely damaging impact on breeders and fanciers.  This bill is expected to move very quickly.  It is imperative that Iowa dog owners and breeders contact their State Senator TODAY and ask them to oppose Senate File 168.  Click here to find the name […]

The Nebraska Legislature’s Agriculture Committee will consider several bills on Tuesday, February 17 that will impact dog owners and breeders, including a bill (LB 377) that could force a dog owner to forfeit their animals for only a suspicion of animal cruelty – even before a conviction by the court. AKC encourages dog owners and […]

On February 16, 2015, the Montana Senate Local Government Committee is scheduled to consider Senate Bill 239, a bill that seeks to protect the rights of responsible dog owners in Montana.  SB 239 would prohibit local governments from enacting or enforcing an ordinance, policy, resolution or other regulation that is specific to the breed or […]

Next Monday, February 9, 2015, the North Dakota House Human Services Committee will consider House Concurrent Resolution 3010.  If ultimately approved, the resolution will direct legislative staff to study the identification of properly trained assistance dogs providing legitimate service to their owners, waivers of local registration fees, and the effect of various local ordinances on […]

On Friday, February 13, the New Hampshire House Environment and Agriculture Committee will consider House Bill 624, a bill regarding animal care costs in cruelty cases. As introduced, the bill could force individuals charged—but not convicted—of animal cruelty to forfeit ownership of their pets, even after they are later found not guilty of those charges. […]

As reported previously, the Jefferson Parish Council has delayed their consideration of changes to the Parish’s animal cruelty ordinances. Instead, officials with the Jefferson Parish Animal Shelter and Animal Shelter Advisory Board will first hold a public meeting to discuss the proposed changes. The meeting will be held on Tuesday, February 10, 2015, at 6:30PM […]