Amendments to California Assembly Bill 1634, as made by the Senate Appropriations Committee, appeared in print today after several weeks of delay due to the legislative recess.  Now that the Senators have returned to Sacramento, work on bills has resumed.  Quick movement on bills is expected as the state constitution requires that all bills be […]

Yesterday, a vote by the Chicago City Council's Finance Committee, in consideration of a proposed mandatory spay/neuter ordinance, was put off by committee chairman Alderman Ed Burke.  After several hours of testimony, Alderman Burke delayed a vote to allow more testimony to be heard.  No new hearing date has been set. AKC's Government Relations Department […]

AKC's Government Relations Department has learned that the Rockwood, Tennessee, City Council will discuss the topic of vicious dogs at its regular monthly meeting on Monday, July 21st, 2008. This meeting will be held at 7:00PM (Eastern) in the City Council Room, 110 Chamberlain Avenue in Rockwood. All concerned Rockwood dog owners are encouraged to […]

On Wednesday, the Dallas City Council voted 10-3 in favor of changing Dallas' animal ordinance.  Effective on Tuesday, July 1st, the ordinance requires the sterilization of all dogs, unless owners purchase an annual $70 breeder permit to keep each dog intact.  Additionally, the ordinance establishes a limit on the number of pets owned to six […]

On Tuesday, the D.C. Council unanimously passed an amended version of its Animal Protection Amendment Act. While the amended and subsequently adopted version of the ordinance is currently unavailable, AKC's Government Relations Department has learned that the limit on ownership was raised from four to six animals. The Government Relations Department will provide a full […]

The Chicago City Council Committee on Finance will hold a joint hearing with the Committee on License and Consumer Protection on Tuesday July 29th to discuss a mandatory spay/neuter ordinance. It is vital that responsible dog owners and breeders attend the hearing to oppose this measure.   AKC Opposes Proposed Mandatory Spay and Neuter Ordinance […]

Today, the California Senate Local Government Committee passed, by a 3-2 vote, California Assembly Bill 1634 with amendments taken by the author.  Senators Gloria Negrete McLeod, Christine Kehoe, and Michael Machado voted in favor, while Senators Dave Cox and Tom Harman voted against the measure.  The bill will now go to the Senate Appropriations Committee […]

The American Kennel Club Government Relations Department is pleased to report that California Assembly Bill 1634, which formerly attempted to impose the mandatory spay/neuter of all dogs six months of age or older with little exception, has been vastly amended.  Now entitled "Dog and cats: nonspayed or unneutered: civil penalties.", this is an entirely new […]

New York State Senator Andrew J. Lanza of Staten Island has introduced Senate Bill 8546, which seeks to dramatically change the state's "pet dealer" laws by: Changing the definition of "pet dealer" to include anyone who engages in the sale or offering for sale of animals for profit to the public and keeps on their […]

The Dallas City Council will vote on the proposed changes to Dallas' animal control ordinance on Wednesday, June 25th, 9:00 A.M., at Dallas City Hall, 1500 Marilla Street, Dallas. These changes include mandatory spay/neuter, breeder permitting, and limits on the number of pets that can be owned. It is vitally important that Dallas-area responsible dog […]