Both the American Kennel Club (AKC) and the Connecticut Federation of Dog Clubs and Responsible Dog Owners (CFDRDO) are delighted to report that a further amended SB 1069 was signed into law yesterday by Connecticut Governor Lamont. Now Public Act No. 23-17, the new law is the result of AKC outreach and grassroots lobbying by Connecticut club members, responsible dog owners, and CFDRDO’s President. Congratulations to all!
HISTORY: As raised by the Joint Environment Committee and detailed in AKC’s February 22 alert, SB 1069, relative to kennels and domestic dog laws, raised multiple concerns for kennel owners and those who groom dogs for exhibition. In response to testimony submitted, the committee had approved an amended SB 1069 with some positive changes, as detailed in this March 28 update.
A recent amendment that was agreed to by the Department of Agriculture clarified the bill’s text by removing the word “facility” when referring to a kennel, which effectively does not hamstring hobby breeders. An additional amendment championed by leaders of the Joint Environment Committee requires local kennel licensure and inspections only if it produces more than five litters a year, not two.
The further amended bill was approved by the Senate and then the House on May 30. Section 3 of the bill, pertaining to kennels, became effective yesterday upon Governor Lamont’s approval.
AKC and CFDRDO are grateful to both the Department of Agriculture and the Joint Environment Committee leaders who worked with stakeholders to ensure changes to Connecticut’s laws impacting kennels would not be onerous to hobby breeders or those who groom dogs for exhibition.
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.