The Santa Fe County Commission is holding the first of two public hearings on Tuesday, September 13, on a proposal that would impact all dog owners residing or participating in events in the county. Those who reside or participate in events in the county are strongly encouraged to contact the committee, and if possible, attend […]

Yesterday, AKC GR reported that Massachusetts Senate Bill 2370 was passed by the Senate with amendments.  Since then, we have learned that the bill has been given a new bill number and descriptive title, and assigned to the House Ways and Means Committee.  Now numbered as Senate Bill 2390, the bill is described as, “An […]

Yesterday, the Massachusetts Senate’s Ways and Means Committee passed an amended version of Senate Bill 2370, the “Act Relative to Protecting Puppies and Kittens” (previously Senate Bill 1103).  The bill could be voted on by the full Senate as soon as Tuesday, June 28.  The new version of this bill makes several changes – including […]

Yesterday, a resolution was introduced in the U.S. Senate to declare May 1 as National Purebred Dog Day.  Senate Resolution 447 “designates May 1 as National Purebred Dog Day in celebration of purebred dogs and the many service and companion benefits purebred dogs have and continue to provide to the United States.” The resolution further […]

Friday, April 15, 2016 Connecticut Senate Bill 228, which seeks to allow non-economic damages in cases involving injury to a pet, and House Bill 5344, which seeks to create court-appointed animal advocates in court cases involving pets, are currently pending in the Connecticut General Assembly.  The American Kennel Club (AKC) believes that far-reaching unintended consequences […]

An Illinois committee is scheduled to consider a bill on Tuesday, April 19, that would make several changes to the laws regarding those charged with cruelty and whose animals are seized. AKC’s concerns with HB 4443 include the following: Requirement that peace officers arrest without a warrant or “issue a notice to appear in person” […]

Connecticut law already allows the owner of a companion animal that has been intentionally injured or killed to collect economic damages (i.e., claims substantiated by a specific cost), including veterinary care cost and the monetary value of the animal.  Connecticut Senate Bill 228 would go a drastic step further and allow non-economic damages in cases […]

On Wednesday, February 24, the Rhode Island House Health, Education, and Welfare Committee will consider several dog-related bills, including House Bill 7062, which seeks to further restrict the practice of humane tethering of dogs.  Current Rhode Island law provides specific exemptions from the state’s restrictions on the practice of tethering animals.  Exempted parties include licensed […]

The American Kennel Club cares deeply about the welfare of all dogs and supports the ability of law enforcement or public safety officers to remove dogs from vehicles when they are in distress due to heat or other environmental conditions that present an immediate danger to the dog. However, a number of bills were introduced […]

Bills are moving in both the Iowa House and Senate that would further regulate those who maintain four or more intact dogs and receive any kind of consideration for breeding or transferring even one dog.  The bills have now passed subcommittee and could be considered by the full committees any time.  It is essential that […]