The Maryland House Judiciary Committee is considering a measure tomorrow that would seek to overturn a Maryland Court of Appeals ruling issued in early 2012 that said all "pit bulls" are inherently dangerous. Maryland residents are encouraged to contact the members of the House Judiciary Committee and ask them to support House Bill 78. An […]

AKC Government Relations has just learned that New Mexico House Bill 63, which would prohibit counties and municipalities from enacting breed-specific regulations, is scheduled to be considered by the House Health, Government and Indian Affairs Committee tomorrow, Thursday, January 31. New Mexico residents are strongly encouraged to contact the members of the committee, as well […]

In the very near future, the Pennsylvania House is expected to consider House Bill 82 - a bill that would be detrimental to the rights of animal owners. This bill, which is identical to a bill introduced in the General Assembly in 2012, could force owners to relinquish their animals when they are accused of […]

The Massachusetts Federation of Dog Clubs and Responsible Dog Owners (MassFed) has learned that State Senator Michael Rush has filed Senate Docket 1247 in the Massachusetts Senate. The proposal would allow cities and towns to enact breed-specific legislation. The American Kennel Club (AKC) joins with the Massachusetts Federation of Dog Clubs and Responsible Dog Owners […]

The Township Committee of Mendham Township, New Jersey, will consider changes to its animal control ordinance on Tuesday, October 23, 2012. The American Kennel Club (AKC) encourages all interested New Jersey residents to attend Tuesday's meeting and voice concerns with the ordinance. Dating back to late 2011, the Mendham Township Committee attempted to address some […]

Several bills important to dog owners will be considered by two committees of the New York Assembly on Thursday, April 26, 2012. The American Kennel Club encourages all concerned New York dog owners to consider the provisions of these bills, and to contact the respective committee members with their concerns. ASSEMBLY BILL 3507 – AB […]

Iowa Senate committees have approved two measures that would make detrimental changes to the laws regulating commercial breeders, defined in current law as anyone who owns at least four intact dogs or cats and receives any consideration for breeding. While the bills are virtually identical to the ones that were scheduled for consideration last week, […]

Massachusetts House Bill 2809 seeks to unnecessarily and severely limit keeping dogs outdoors, and seeks to introduce guardianship language into Massachusetts statutory law when referring to animal ownership. Both the American Kennel Club (AKC) and the Massachusetts Federation of Dog Clubs and Responsible Dog Owners oppose HB 2809. Concerned Massachusetts dog breeders and owners should […]

The American Kennel Club Government Relations Department (AKC GR) has recently learned that the Dunn (NC) City Council will discuss whether to proceed with a proposal to ban "pit bulls" when it meets for its annual budget retreat this weekend (Friday, March 2-Saturday, March 3). While this retreat is not open to the public, it […]

The Colorado House of Representatives has passed a measure that would make several changes to the procedures and costs associated with impounding an animal when its owner is charged with neglect, cruelty, or another animal criminal act. Although several amendments supported by the AKC and the Colorado Federation of Dog Clubs were proposed to address […]