In mid-March, Ohio Representative Barbara Sears of Lucas County introduced House Bill 79, which removes the term "pit bull" from Ohio's statutory definition of dangerous dogs. Ohio is currently the only state to have enacted statewide breed-specific legislation. The current law states that if a dog "belongs to a breed that is commonly known as […]

The AKC is pleased to announce the launch of the new AKC Government Relations Legislation Tracking Service.  This new service enables you to check the status of all 2009 canine legislation in each of the 50 states, as well as federal legislation. To use this service, go to the AKC Government Relations web page, www.akc.org/canine_legislation […]

Tomorrow, Tuesday, May 12, two controversial bills in the Texas House of Representatives, HB 3180 and HB 2732, will be considered by the House Local and Consent Calendars Committee.  This committee schedules bills for a floor vote by the full House of Representatives when there is no opposition anticipated; however, if five or more Representatives […]

Two new bills in the New York State Senate would severely limit the operations of responsible dog breeders in the Empire State. The American Kennel Club opposes these bills, and strongly encourages all concerned responsible dog breeders and owners in New York to contact the members of the Senate Agriculture Committee, which currently has cognizance […]

Because of procedural maneuvering in the Texas Legislature, harsh breeder regulatory legislation is now very close to becoming law in the Lone Star State.  It is vital that all concerned responsible dog breeders and owners in Texas take immediate action in opposition to this bill.  On Wednesday, May 6, Senator Tommy Williams of The Woodlands […]

Senate Bill 460, a bill which regulates breeders and infringes on the rights of responsible dog owners, passed the North Carolina Senate Commerce Committee today.  The bill now goes to the Senate Finance Committee.  The Finance hearing could be scheduled for as early as next Tuesday.  It is essential that responsible dog owners and breeders […]

Committees in the Tennessee Legislature will hear companion bills that address dog breeding regulations in Tennessee.  Senate Bill 258 will be considered by the Senate Commerce, Labor, and Agriculture Committee on Tuesday; its companion, House Bill 386 will considered by the House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday.  The AKC opposed provisions in the original version of […]

Beginning Friday, May 1, any dog weighing over 25 pounds, including Rottweilers, Doberman Pinschers and  "pit bulls", among many others, will be prohibited in housing controlled by the New York City Housing Authority.  The American Kennel Club has sent a letter to the Housing Authority, Mayor Michael Bloomberg, and the New York City Council opposing […]

The Oklahoma Senate has placed HB 1332 on its schedule for today, Wednesday, April 22, 2009. The AKC asks all responsible dog owners, breeders and fanciers to call their senators this morning and urge them to oppose this legislation. The AKC’s Oklahoma Federation notes that the following Senators remain undecided: Coffee, Lamb, Bingman, Laster, Aldridge, […]

On Monday April 6, The Texas House County Affairs Committee will hold a hearing on House Bill 1982, a measure that would impose numerous new restrictions on dog owners and offer only vague definitions of the term "vicious dog". The American Kennel Club supports reasonable, enforceable, non-discriminatory laws to govern the ownership of dogs.  The […]