On Monday, a Missouri Senate Committee is considering a bill that protects dogs and the rights of dog owners when animals are seized on suspicion of neglect or abuse.  The purpose of the bill is to protect the rights of the accused and ensure they are treated as innocent until proven guilty, and to protect […]

This week, the Nevada House of Representatives passed a bill banning the retail sale of pets in Nevada pet stores. Assembly Bill 487 was amended to remove a provision that would have prohibited the sale or transfer of dogs or cats in public places, with certain exceptions for animal shelters and rescue organizations.  AKC and […]

There are 37 days remaining in the 89th Texas Legislative Session, and several dog bills are under consideration. Below are status updates for bills the AKC continues to track this session: House Bill 2806- Dangerous Dogs Status: Hearing on Monday, April 28 at 8:00am in the House Public Health Committee. The hearing will be held […]

This week, the California Assembly Business and Professions Committee passed amendments to expand the state’s consumer protection laws.  As amended, the bill now requires anyone who sells a dog – including breeders and rescues – to disclose certain information about the dog’s health and background at the time of sale. Assembly Bill 506 is part […]

Tomorrow (Tuesday, April 22), the Texas Senate Water, Agriculture, and Rural Affairs Committee will have a hearing on Senate Bill 2801, which authorizes field trials in Texas for fur-bearing animals and squirrels. Current Texas law only specifically authorizes field trials for pen-raised game birds, and this legislation should bring Texas law up to date so […]

On Wednesday, April 23, the Texas Judiciary and Civil Jurisprudence Committee will consider a bill that would allow a person to receive damages for bystander damages, mental anguish, and loss of companionship caused by death of a companion animal. The bill applies to any person who boards their dog at a “for-profit kennel”, meaning any […]

The New Hampshire (NH) Senate Judiciary Committee will hear public testimony on Amended HB 616 tomorrow, Tuesday, April 22, at 1:30PM. Amended HB 616, which has already favorably passed the House, would: (1) ensure a person charged with animal cruelty is aware of their right to hire a licensed veterinarian of their choice to examine […]

As previously reported, Spartanburg County, South Carolina, will consider extensive proposed amendments to the county’s Animals ordinance at its meeting on Monday, April 21, 2025.  The proposal would create new licenses for dog breeders, require inspections of their facilities, establish care and conditions standards for all dogs, and impose ownership limits.  The American Kennel Club […]

On Tuesday, April 8, the Senate Natural Resources and Wildfire Committee voted to advance SB 1076 and referred it to the Joint Committee on Ways and Means Subcommittee on Natural Resources. The AKC thanks all the Oregonians who showed up to the State Capitol for the hearings and have been active in communicating your concerns […]

As previously reported, Florida Senate Bill 1830 and House Bill 1481 seek to require state licensing and regulation of anyone in Florida who owns or possess an intact female dog that is six months old or older, and who offers puppies from its breeding for sale.  Under the bill, any intact female more than six […]