On Tuesday, April 10, the Ohio House State and Local Government Committee will be taking testimony on a bill that will declare the Labrador Retriever the State Dog of Ohio.
State Representative Jeffrey Rezabek, himself a Lab owner, said that he chose the Labrador Retriever because he felt that the breed “reflects the state’s passion for sports and the work ethic that defines its communities.” The Lab is also the most popular breed in the state.
Read AKC’s blog for more information on House Bill 539. AKC supports this bill, which will make Ohio the 11th state to designate a purpose-bred dog as its state dog.
Some animal rights groups, however, are publicly opposing this measure, and AKC encourages Ohio dog owners, or those who participate in events in Ohio, to do the following:
- Attend the April 10 committee hearing and express your support for House Bill 539:
Ohio House State and Local Government Committee
Tuesday, April 10
2:00 pm
Ohio Statehouse, Room 17
Columbus, OhioIf you plan to attend, please notify the sponsor Rep. Rezabek’s office at Rep43@ohiohouse.gov.
- Contact the committee and express your support for House Bill 539. Please also send a copy of your letter to Rep. Rezabek’s office at Rep43@ohiohouse.gov so they can submit it as official testimony. This must be submitted by the afternoon of Monday, April 9 to be a part of official written testimony.
The committee contact information is as follows:
Marlene Anielski, Chair
(614) 644-6041
Email FormRep. Stephen Hambley, Vice Chair
(614) 466-8140
Email FormRep. Glenn Holmes, Ranking Member
(614) 466-3488
Email FormRep. Steven Arndt
614-644-6011
Email FormRep. Michael Ashford
(614) 466-1401
Email FormRep. John Becker
(614) 466-8134
Email FormRep. Janine Boyd
(614) 644-5079
Email FormRep. Richard Brown
(614) 644-6002
Email FormRep. Rick Carfagna
(614) 466-1431
Email FormRep. Bill Dean
(614) 466-1470
Email FormRep. Brian Hill
(614) 644-6014
Email FormRep. James Hoops
(614) 466-3760
Email FormRep. Michael O’Brien
(614) 466-5358
Email FormRep. Rick Perales
(614) 644-6020
Email FormRep. Scott Ryan
(614) 466-1482
Email Form
AKC Government Relations will continue to provide updates on this bill. For more information, contact AKC GR at doglaw@akc.org.