AKC has learned that last night the Senate Public Affairs Committee postponed hearing SB188. The bill will NOT be on the schedule for today's meeting, however it will likely be heard in the near future, perhaps as early as next week. Please check the New Mexico Legislature's Committee Calendar http://legis.state.nm.us/lcs/agecalendars.asp for scheduling information. Fanciers are […]

Hunters and dog fanciers in Texas are extremely concerned about HB326 and its companion, SB172. The identical bills would amend the state's cruelty law in several ways. First, the measures make it a crime to cause bodily injury to an animal, with "animal" being defined as any "nonhuman mammal, bird or captive amphibian or reptile." […]

UPDATE: HB2927 was stricken from the docket on February 2nd. Many thanks to the Virginia Federation of Dog Clubs and the countless Virginia dog owners who helped make this victory possible! Please continue to watch our Web site for information about other pending legislation in Virginia.    [Monday, January 24, 2005] Immediate help is needed […]

Dear Members of the Fancy: We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks for all the wonderful work you did to defeat the proposed cropping ban in California. Your efforts, your voice, your commitment to fighting this battle made the difference, and we know we would not have won this challenge without you. There is […]

July saw the successful conclusion of two federal issues of importance to the dog fancy, both of which were supported by the AKC. The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) issued its long-awaited final rule strengthening the federal Animal Care regulations applicable to commercial dog dealers. Also, Congress enacted the "Minor Use and Minor […]

Despite strong opposition and lobbying efforts by concerned dog owners and the AKC, the Boston City Council approved a breed-specific dangerous dog ordinance on June 23rd. Prior to its passage, the measure was amended to include a mandatory spay/neuter provision for all "pit bulls." Pit bulls are defined as American Pit Bull Terriers, Staffordshire Bull […]

In the wake of Boston's recent enactment of a breed-specific dangerous dog ordinance, Massachusetts fanciers should be on the lookout for similar legislation in their municipalities. The Massachusetts Federation of Dog Clubs and Responsible Dog Owners has notified AKC that two cities, Fitchburg and Leominster, are considering proposals similar to Boston's new ordinance, which severely […]

Following the recent defeat of proposed breeder regulations, New Jersey dog owners barely had time to catch their breaths before Senator Sharpe James, who is also Mayor of Newark, introduced the "Responsible Pit Bull Ownership Act" (S1718) late last week. S1718 Would Allow a Municipality To: Require a special license for all "pit bulls" ($150-700)-including […]

California fanciers, take note! The Animal Council reports that SB1548, a bill pertaining to veterinary medicine, was amended last week to include a ban on ear cropping for dogs. Violators will be charged with a misdemeanor unless the procedure was done for treatment of disease or injury to the dog. The bill defines "disease or […]

SB1548, which includes language that would make ear cropping a misdemeanor, easily passed the Assembly Committee on Business and Professions this week. The majority of the bill pertains to other aspects of veterinary medicine and has the support of the veterinary community. AKC is therefore urging fanciers to contact the bill sponsor and ask her […]