Earlier this month, the Rhode Island (RI) House introduced H. 6383 as a companion to the Senate bill that seeks to change the state’s  “hobby breeder” definition. For the bill’s June 10 public hearing, the American Kennel Club (AKC) submitted testimony that highlighted concerns and requested the House Corporations Committee amend the bill with text […]

On Tuesday, June 17, at 9AM, a New Hampshire (NH) conference committee is scheduled to consider amended SB 302, which now includes text supporting fair animal cruelty investigations and procedures and that would help prevent the reoccurrence of past problematic enforcement actions.  New Hampshire residents are strongly encouraged to contact their state senator to request […]

Yesterday, Tuesday June 10, the Delaware Senate passed a bill that would remove the “Sunset” provision in current law that allows a person to receive compensatory damages for which a person who tortiously causes an injury to or death of a pet is liable. Under current law, a person is entitled to compensatory damages of […]

Recently, State Representative Kathleen “KC” Tomlinson (Dist. 18- Bucks County) introduced legislation that seeks to prohibit insurance companies in Pennsylvania from discriminating against homeowners based solely on the breed of dog they own. If passed, House Bill 1515 would prohibit insurers from making decisions on policy coverage based solely on dog breed.  They may still […]

Amended LD 1771, which would categorize “hobby kennels” as commercial “animal care facilities”, was further amended last week and passed the Maine House. The House changes were minor and clarify that humane agents could conduct inspections without a municipal animal control officer present. The Senate quickly agreed to those minor changes and adopted the bill. […]

Legislation is likely to move any time in the New York legislature that could force virtually every hobby breeder in the state to be licensed, inspected, and regulated as pet dealers. As mentioned in a previous alert, Senate Bill 8252 and Assembly Bill 8653 include some clarifying language to address the ban on dog and […]

Late Wednesday night, the Connecticut (CT) General Assembly finalized the legislative session and adjourned. American Kennel Club Government Relations (AKC GR) appreciates the advocacy of the Connecticut Federation of Dog Clubs and Responsible Dog Owners (CFDRDO). Below is a summary of key legislation. PROHIBITING INSURANCE DOG BREED DISCRIMINATION STALLS: AKC thanks the CT residents who […]

Two Rhode Island (RI) bills of concern to the American Kennel Club (AKC) have been amended before being passed by the State Senate. Earlier this week, the State Senate delayed its scheduled vote on S. 325, “Animal Care”, which sought to further restrict the state’s definition of “hobby breeder”. Yesterday, before passing the bill, the […]

The Ohio House Public Safety Committee is holding public hearings on a significant rewrite of the state’s dangerous dog laws. House Bill 247 was introduced in response to several tragic incidents in the state and a demand from the public as well as animal control and law enforcement to strengthen Ohio’s dangerous dog laws.  Concerns […]

The Massachusetts Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government (JCMRG) has scheduled a public hearing for Tuesday, June 10, 2025, from 1PM to 5PM, on multiple animal bills, including some opposed by the American Kennel Club (AKC). OPPOSE: UPDATING ANIMAL HEALTH INSPECTIONS HB 2253 and SB 1458 are mirror bills that would remove Massachusetts’ legal […]