Legislative Alerts

Last week, the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced the temporary suspension of the importation of dogs from countries classified as high risk for canine rabies, or of those arriving from countries not considered a high risk if the dogs have been in a high risk country during the previous six […]

Today, the Colorado Supreme Court unanimously ruled that a ballot initiative seeking to expand the state’s cruelty laws cannot proceed. As such, supporters may no longer collect signatures.  They would need to draft a new proposal and resubmit it for consideration and hearings again by the state Title Board.  It is very unlikely that this […]

The Michigan House of Representatives will likely soon consider a bill that makes numerous changes to the state’s veterinary laws. These changes include amending the definition of “practice of veterinary medicine”.  Current law states that practicing veterinary medicine includes “prescribing or administering a drug, medicine, treatment, or method of procedure.”  As passed by the House […]

The Orange County, Florida, Board of County Commissioners will conduct a public hearing on June 22, 2021, regarding a proposed ordinance to ban the sale of dogs, cats, and rabbits in pet stores. Even if you would not personally source a pet to a pet store, it is critical that your lawmakers understand that pet […]

New Jersey Assembly Bill 2401, dubbed as the “Responsible Dog Ownership Act” has been rescheduled for consideration by the Assembly Appropriations Committee on Tuesday, June 22.  The bill was originally scheduled to be considered by the committee on Wednesday, June 16, but was pulled from its agenda. The American Kennel Club (AKC) is concerned that, […]

Today, the Connecticut Senate formally closed the 2021 legislative session by adjourning sine die, a day after the House adjourned for the year.  The American Kennel Club (AKC) is pleased that the Connecticut Department of Agriculture’s bill impacting shelters was adopted, while bills that would have negatively impacted responsible dog owners and breeders were not. […]

This Tuesday, June 22, the city of Stamford’s Legislative and Rules Committee has scheduled a public hearing at 7pm to receive input on a proposed tethering ordinance The committee made significant improvements to the original proposal over the past six months after receiving input from American Kennel Club Government Relations (AKC GR) and other stakeholders, […]

Today, the New Jersey Assembly Appropriations Committee pulled A. 2401 - a bill that would impact owners of large dogs.  The committee intends to further amend the bill before consideration. AKC Government Relations thanks all who took the time to contact the committee to share your concerns and encourage you to continue to do so. […]

Recently, the Pennsylvania House passed legislation to provide an additional source of revenue to the Department of Agriculture’s Bureau of Dog Law Enforcement.  House Bill 142 would exempt excess Dog Law fines, fees and cost from being deposited into the Judicial Computer System Augmentation Account. Background: Since 1988, all fines, fees and costs collected by […]

Immediate action is needed by animal owners and animal-related businesses in St. Landry Parish to oppose an overreaching proposed animal ordinance.  Among other problematic provisions, the proposed ordinance would: Trample the privacy rights of animal owners and animal-related businesses. Define any owner of two intact animals of the same species as a “breeder” and define […]