Two bills supported by the American Kennel Club (AKC) and the Connecticut Federation of Dog Clubs and Responsible Dog Owners (CFDRDO) were recently signed into law by Governor Ned Lamont. A change to the rabies vaccination schedule has also been made.
SENATE BILL 339 – RESTITUTION FOR INJURY OR DEATH OF POLICE K-9
Public Act No. 24-65 was signed into law on May 28 and is effective October 1. It requires restitution by anyone that injures or kills a police K-9 or volunteer search and rescue dog by requiring that person to pay the cost of incurred veterinary services and, if the dog is no longer able to perform its duties, the costs and expenses incurred in the purchase and training of a replacement dog. AKC is grateful for this recognition of the public safety value these working dogs provide. Click here to learn more details.
HOUSE BILL 5304 – DESIGNATING THE STATE DOG
Public Act No. 24-121, in part, names the Siberian Husky as the state dog of Connecticut. Governor Lamont signed it on June 5, and it becomes effective October 1, 2024. Motivation for passing the bill came in part in celebration of the University of Connecticut men’s basketball national championships in both 2023 and 2024. The team’s mascot is the Husky. The Connecticut Valley Siberian Husky Club has offered to attend a ceremonial bill signing with their beloved dogs, if scheduled!
HOUSE BILL 5223 – MINOR REVISIONS TO AGRICULTURE RELATED STATUTES
Legislation proposed by the Connecticut Department of Agriculture, HB 5223, in addition to provisions noted in this AKC update, was amended by the House to change the rabies vaccination schedule from “the age of three months or older” to “ twelve weeks or more of age but less than fourteen weeks of age, or at the age that the vaccine manufacturer recommends and approved by the United States Department of Agriculture”. The change was requested by Connecticut’s Veterinary Medical Association and is effective immediately after amended HB 5223 was signed by the Governor on May 30 as Public Act No. 24-69 (page 8).
For more information on these or other legislative issues in Connecticut, contact AKC’s Government Relations Department at 919-816-3720 or doglaw@akc.org.