June 16, 2015 On June 23rd the Washoe County Board of Commissioners will be considering changes to their animal control ordinance that will define commercial animal establishments and commercial breeders. Two separate ordinances are proposed. The ordinances will impose significant fees and burdens on small, local, responsible breeders. State law already defines and regulates certain […]

June 8, 2015 Thanks to the tireless efforts of many AKC club members and Iowa breeders, a bill that would have had a detrimental impact on dog breeders and hobbyists in Iowa will not move forward this year. Senate File 502 (Formerly Senate Files 168 and 347) would have created numerous new requirements on those […]

June 8, 2015 The American Kennel Club Government Relations department has just learned that a bill is moving through the Oregon State Legislature that would ban the practice of debarking unless it is medically necessary to treat an injury, illness, or congenital defect.  The AKC opposes House Bill 3494, which would restrict the rights of […]

June 4, 2015 Pennsylvania Senate Bill 373, which amends Commonwealth laws to regulate tethering and sheltering for dogs kept outdoors, passed the Pennsylvania Senate yesterday and has been transferred to the House of Representatives. This bill could directly impact field trials, sledding, and other outdoor winter dog sports and activities.  Read AKC’s previous legislative alert […]

PA Update:  Senate Bill Impacting Field Trials, Winter Dog Events Advancing June 2, 2015 The Pennsylvania Senate has given tentative approval to a bill that amends the state’s cruelty laws to regulate tethering and sheltering for dogs kept outdoors. The AKC strongly believes that no dog should ever be kept in a situation that endangers […]

UPDATE (June 1, 2015):  Governor McCrory vetoed HB 405 on Friday, May 29.  The legislature now has the option of overriding this veto with a 3/5 majority vote in both chambers.  The AKC supports this measure and urges North Carolinians to contact their state senator and representative today and ask them support a veto override. Visit […]

June 3, 2015 The New York Senate Agriculture Committee has approved Senate Bill 1812, which would amend current laws to help better identify the owners of lost dogs.  Under Senate Bill 1812, which is supported by the AKC, a lost dog must be checked for all forms of identification, including tags, microchips, tattoos or licenses […]

UPDATE (June 3, 2015):  The North Carolina General Assembly has voted to override the veto, and HB 405 is now law. UPDATE (June 1, 2015):  Governor McCrory vetoed HB 405 on Friday, May 29.  The legislature now has the option of overriding this veto with a 3/5 majority vote in both chambers.  The AKC supports […]

June 3, 2015 The New York Senate is expected to vote any day on a bill that would allow companion animals on all commuter transportation (including railroads, ferries, buses, etc.) during states of emergency, so long as certain requirements are met.  NY residents are encouraged to contact their State Senator and ask them to support […]

Indiana Accepting Comments on Proposed Changes to Dog Training Grounds, Beagle Field Trials Until June 4 June 1, 2015 The Indiana Natural Resources Commission is considering a new rule that would change a number of regulations, including those pertaining to dog training grounds. Changes would include requiring that dog training grounds that allow for the […]