A bill has been approved by the Delaware House Health and Human Development Committee that would ensure the state and local Delaware municipalities cannot declare a dog as dangerous based solely on “a dog’s breed or perceived breed.”  The bill also makes several amendments to streamline current state laws, including removing all references to the […]

Yesterday, Massachusetts Senate Bill 2370, the “Act Relative to Protecting Puppies and Kittens” (previously Senate Bill 1103), was passed by the Massachusetts Senate.  The bill will now be sent to the Massachusetts House for its consideration.  AKC has several concerns with the bill including: New amendments– including expanded restrictions on dog breeders—to a measure that […]

The Town of Huntington, New York, has scheduled a public hearing on proposed changes to the town’s animal laws.  These include very broad definitions of when a dog would be considered “at large”, and outdoor tethering requirements that could actually harm dogs.  Those who reside in Huntington are encouraged to attend the hearing on Tuesday, […]

Monday, May 16, 2016 The New Jersey Assembly’s Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee will consider two dog-related bills on Thursday, May 19.  The American Kennel Club (AKC) encourages all dog owners in New Jersey to review the proposals and contact the members of the committee with any concerns you may have.  Assembly Bill 308 seeks […]

The Ohio Senate Finance Committee is scheduled to consider Senate Bill 331 tomorrow, Tuesday, May 24, 2016.  As introduced, SB 331 seeks to create positive state-level oversight of pet shops, which AKC supports; but it also includes a problematic change to the state’s existing definition of high volume breeder. The American Kennel Club (AKC) and […]

New Jersey Senate Bill 63, which seeks to repeal consumer protection laws for New Jersey pet purchasers and restrict individuals’ choice of a purpose-bred dog is scheduled to be considered by the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee on Monday, June 6.  It is imperative that New Jersey purebred dog enthusiasts, owners and breeders contact the […]

Senate Bill 945, which will establish standards of care for pet boarding facilities, has been amended again. Affected handlers, kennels and responsible dog owners and breeders who will be impacted should contact the author with concerns prior to the April 4th hearing.  You may read the amended language here. Senator Bill Monning  (Author, SB 945) […]

Tuesday, April 05, 2016 On Monday, April 11, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) will hold a public workshop to discuss new management plans for the Snoqualmie Wildlife Area.  One of the area’s units, Cherry Valley, located near the town of Duval, is used for hunting and wildlife-related recreation.  To ensure that future […]

Thursday, April 07, 2016 An amended version of Louisiana Senate Bill 337 (original text here, adopted amendments here), which seeks to restrict retail pet stores’ sources of dogs and cats, was unanimously passed by the Senate Commerce, Consumer Protection and International Affairs Committee on Wednesday, April 6.  The bill is now awaiting final passage in […]

The American Kennel Club’s Government Relations team has just been made aware that the Broward County Commission will discuss amendments to the county’s existing breeder permit including requiring permit holders to submit to warrantless inspections of their private homes. The AKC strongly encourages dog owners and breeders to attend tomorrow’s hearing or to contact the […]