The New York Assembly Codes Committee will consider a bill on April 16 that would prohibit insurance companies from denying, cancelling or raising premium rates for homeowners' insurance based on the breed of dog owned by the policyholder. All responsible dog owners and breeders in New York are encouraged to contact the Assembly Codes Committee, […]

Maine LD 1192, sponsored by Representative Justin Chenette, will be considered by the Joint Committee on Insurance and Financial Services on April 25.  The bill seeks to prohibit insurance companies from cancelling, refusing to issue, or charging an increased premium for a property insurance policy solely on the basis of a policyholder's ownership of a […]

New Hampshire House Bill 497 seeks to make significant changes to the state’s animal cruelty statutes.  The American Kennel Club (AKC) and the Dog Owners of the Granite State (DOGS), AKC’s New Hampshire federation, both oppose HB 497 as unnecessary.  Concerned New Hampshire dog owners are encouraged to contact the members of the NH House […]

The American Kennel Club Government Relations Department has learned that Louisiana House Bill 163, a bill which further threatens the rights of responsible dog owners and breeders with ownership limits and vague care and conditions standards, will be considered on Thursday, April 12, 2012, by the Louisiana House Committee on Agriculture, Forestry, Aquaculture, and Rural […]

Two positive measures –one protecting proper legal status of animals and one promoting responsible dog breeding –have passed Missouri committees and are awaiting action by the Missouri House of Representatives. House Bill 1513 would prohibit state laws from conferring "upon any animal a right, privilege or legal status that is equivalent or that exceeds a […]

The AKC is pleased to report that Ohio Governor Kasich signed House Bill 14 this morning, thereby finally removing the term "pit bull" from the state's definition of "vicious dog" and holding all dog owners accountable, regardless of the breed they own. The AKC believes this new law goes a long way toward ensuring that […]

April 29, 2011 The Massachusetts Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government will consider a series of dog bills at its hearing on May 11, 2011.  Responsible dog owners in Massachusetts are encouraged to attend the hearing or contact the committee with comments on any of the bills on the agenda. View the names and […]

Colorado Senate Bill 11-009, which made significant changes to the impoundment laws and the ability of owners to get their animals back if they are seized during a cruelty investigation, was postponed indefinitely in the House Agriculture, Livestock & Natural Resources Committee and will not advance this year. The AKC strongly supports the humane treatment […]

The AKC has learned that the Ohio House Criminal Justice Committee hearing on House Bill 14 scheduled for Wednesday, February 2 at 9:00 a.m., is only for sponsor testimony.  A second hearing will be scheduled in 1-2 weeks that will allow for public comment. Due to inclement weather, it is asked that those who support […]

The Nebraska Agriculture Committee is scheduled to consider Legislative Bill 427 on February 8. Legislative Bill 427 seeks to further regulate "commercial dog breeders" in Nebraska.  Current law defines "commercial breeders" as anyone "engaged in the business of breeding dogs" and owns or harbors four or more intact dogs or cats, sells at least 31 […]