Attention Chicago dog owners! Alderman Virginia (Ginger) Rugai has introduced an ordinance that would prohibit residents from owning, transporting, or selling "pit bulls." Pit bulls are defined as American Pit Bull Terriers, Staffordshire Bull Terriers, American Staffordshire Terriers, or any mix of those breeds. Violators will face fines of $100-1000 and/or up to six months […]

Senator Rick Santorum (R-PA), the principal sponsor of the so-called "Puppy Protection Act" (PPA) in the 107th Congress has informed the American Kennel Club that he plans to introduce a modified version of the PPA in the near future. The new version of the PPA will be virtually identical to the original, except that it […]

Congratulations to Ann Arbor fanciers on successfully opposing an ordinance that would have restricted breeding rights and limited pet ownership. The measure, which was rejected by the City Council on December 15th, would have required mandatory spay/neuter of dogs unless owners purchased a breeder's permit. Among other onerous provisions, the proposal would additionally have prohibited […]

In November 2003, the so-called "Puppy Protection Act" (PPA) was introduced in the House of Representatives by Rep. Ed Whitfield (R-KY) designated H.R. 3484. 36 co-sponsors have signed onto the bill. H.R. 3484 is virtually identical to the PPA introduced by Whitfield in the 107th Congress, except that it does not require setting federal "socialization" […]

For years, homeowners with certain breeds of dogs have had an increasingly difficult time obtaining homeowners' insurance. Now with summer fast-approaching, dog owners could find that task even more daunting. Media coverage of summer dog bites may draw negative attention to the issue, causing carriers to raise a warning flag on all customers who own […]

The dangerous dog bill in Iowa has a new number, SF446 (formerly SSB1195), and the breed-specific aspects of the bill have been dropped. Unfortunately, the bill is so poorly written that it now puts all dogs in jeopardy. SF446 declares all unleashed or unmuzzled dogs dangerous and never addresses the behavior of the dog itself […]

Rottweilers, Dobermans and “pit bulls” would be declared vicious under a bill introduced this week in Iowa. The bill, SSB1195, was introduced by the Senate Committee on Government Oversight April 8th and was approved just two days later for consideration by the full Senate. Iowa fanciers must act now to stop this fast-moving bill. WHAT […]

AKC and California fanciers scored a major victory when AB342, which would have prohibited hunting with dogs or training for that purpose, was soundly rejected in committee by a vote of 19-0. The bill was granted reconsideration as a courtesy to the author, meaning it could possibly come before the Water, Parks and Wildlife Committee […]

In a letter to Secretary Ann Veneman, the American Kennel Club is urging the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) to make important and needed improvements to the Animal Welfare Act (AWA). The AWA requires that minimum standards of care and treatment be provided for certain animals sold at wholesale, used in research, and transported commercially. […]

Help is needed immediately to defeat legislation that has been introduced in Maryland to severely restrict debarking of dogs. The bill (H355) is currently awaiting a vote by the House Committee on Environmental Matters. Debarking of dogs is a commonly misunderstood practice. When performed by a veterinarian, debarking is an acceptable medical procedure that is […]