Legislative Alerts

A bill pending in the Minnesota Senate seeks to modify requirements for and uses of certain traps used in hunting, and would require the reporting of pets or companion animals discovered to have been ensnared. The bill, Senate File 1325, will be considered by the Senate Environment and Energy Committee's Subcommittee on Fish and Wildlife […]

Attention Georgia Dog Owners Your action is needed to stop breed-specific legislation in Georgia. Senate Bill 184 would prohibit local governments from enacting laws that apply only to specific breeds or perceived breeds of dogs. SB 184 does not restrict local governments from enacting ordinances that apply to all dogs. In the next step toward […]

A bill has once again been introduced in the North Carolina House of Representatives that would define a “commercial breeder” based solely on the number of intact female dogs someone owns. The measure also would transfer state animal welfare regulation and oversight from the Department of Agriculture to the Department of Public Safety. The AKC […]

A bill has been approved by the U.S. House Rules Committee that would allow dog and cat owners to take their dogs on Amtrak trains under certain circumstances.  H.R. 749 is a comprehensive passenger train bill that in part would require Amtrak, when feasible, to designate at least one car where passengers may transport a […]

A bill to protect the rights of responsible dog owners in Kentucky passed in the Senate Agriculture Committee and has advanced to the Senate Rules Committee.  Senate Bill 124 seeks to prohibit local governments from passing any ordinance, regulation, or policy that is specific to a breed of dog.  For this bill to become law […]

The Maryland House Economic Matters Committee is scheduled to consider a bill tomorrow (Tuesday, March 3) that contains some very troubling legislative findings (including implying that breeders are the reason dogs end up in shelters) and also restricts certain pet sales in the state. AKC encourages Maryland residents to contact the committee and respectfully educate […]

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 […]