While many state legislatures have wrapped up their sessions for the year, troubling developments persist at the federal level regarding responsible dog breeding. Animal rights extremists continue to push for an expansion of the Justice Department’s (DOJ) powers to regulate breeders by adding the Better CARE for Animals Act to the Senate version of the Farm Bill. This shift threatens to undermine the U.S.(USDA) Department of Agriculture’s long-standing authority and expertise in managing animal welfare. The proposed Better CARE for Animals Act (H.R. 5041 /S. 2555) would empower the DOJ to enforce violations of the Animal Welfare Act independently, potentially allowing for criminal charges against breeders without any prior input or allegations from the USDA.
Efforts to expand DOJ’s involvement reflect a troubling trend in various states to shift oversight of animal welfare from Agriculture departments and to restrict responsible dog breeding in various states. Such efforts would likely undermine access to well-bred dogs while increasing the prevalence of irresponsible breeding practices. It is essential for lawmakers to acknowledge the importance of responsible breeders who prioritize animal welfare and to resist punitive measures against them.
Proponents of shifting oversight from the animal experts at the USDA overlook the successes that Department has already achieved: The USDA’s 2022 Impact Report revealed that 96% of licensed breeders are in substantial compliance with federal standards. This success is one of the reasons the House version of the Farm Bill preserves the USDA’s central role and introduces measures supported by AKC to enhance animal welfare, educational and enforcement capabilities.
The recent 2024 AKC National Detection Dog Conference in Wilmington, Ohio, united industry leaders, trainers, government representatives, and AKC staff to confront the pressing issue of a shortage of US bred, raised and trained explosives detection dogs. The conference featured a variety of cutting -edge presentations on breeding, training, along with updates on the legislative and legal environments for working dogs, and a day in the life of a New York City detection dog. A live demonstration of canine evaluations further highlighted the teamwork needed across various sectors. Attendees expressed great satisfaction with the conference, underlining the value of networking and collaboration to enhance the quality of purpose-bred working dogs in law enforcement. The AKC Detection Dog Task Force remains committed to advocating for the future success of detection dog programs in the U.S.
Additionally, the Government Relations team has been actively attending legislative trade shows to foster essential connections with lawmakers. The AKC Government Relations Department participated in the National Association of Counties (NACo) conference, which gathered over 3,000 county leaders from across the nation. These gatherings provide valuable opportunities for the AKC GR team to build relationships with influential leaders who impact breeders, exhibitors, dog owners, and hobbyists alike. Additionally, members of the GR team attended the American Legislative Exchange Council’s (ALEC) 51st annual meeting in Denver, Colorado, and the Tennessee Municipal League’s (TML) 87th Annual Conference and Expo, which fostered further networking among city government leaders.
As always, please do not hesitate to contact AKC GR with any questions or concerns at doglaw@akc.org.