The AKC Government Relations Department is working hard with local federations, dog clubs, and concerned owners to protect the rights of dog owners, and there continue to be victories for responsible breeders and fanciers across the country. Click here to read about the most recent successes since April 2009. Visit the 2009 Legislative Successes page on our web site to view a complete list of all 2009 successes around the country.

Alabama – SB 554 would have required all dogs 6 months or older to be spayed/neutered, with few exceptions. The AKC Government Relations Department issued a Legislative Alert on the bill, and worked with the Alabama Canine Coalition in opposition. The Alabama legislature adjourned and never held a hearing on this bill.

Hawaii – House Concurrent Resolution 221/ House Resolution 190 directed the Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs to develop “breeding and pet care standards” without any public input or comment. They also included several offensive legislative findings, including the implication that those who breed a dog to a specific size or appearance may subject the dogs to “uncomfortable and tragic lives because their bodily and brain functions are inhibited.” The AKC sent a letter of opposition to the House Consumer and Public Affairs Committee and notified Hawaii clubs and officials about the resolutions and encouraged them to contact their legislators. The session ended before these bills received final approval.

Illinois – The City of Highland Park has tabled a proposal to prohibit new ownership of “pit bulls” in the city. The AKC sent letters to the City Council, notified local fanciers and dog clubs, and sent packets of information to local concerned dog owners to distribute to the Council.

Indiana – The Indianapolis City Council has indefinitely postponed an ordinance requiring sterilization of all “pit bulls”. The AKC sent a notification to fanciers and dog clubs in Marion County alerting them to the proposal and urging them to contact the City Council.

Missouri – Dog owners in Missouri had two legislative victories this year:

House Bill 1004 – A bill introduced in the Missouri house to limit ownership to 50 dogs never received a committee hearing. The AKC thanks the Missouri Federation of Animal Owners for their work in defeating this legislation.

House Concurrent Resolution 4 – This resolution, which encourages dog training programs and kennel clubs to provide training and education for community pet owners that result in dogs obtaining “Canine Good Citizen®” (CGC) certificates, passed the Missouri Legislature. To date, 43 states have adopted resolutions recognizing this program.

Oklahoma – As originally written, HB 1332 would have allowed for warrantless search and seizure and required that out-of-state breeders be licensed in Oklahoma to transport animals in Oklahoma for any purpose. An amendment has removed some of the problematic language, but some concerns remained. The bill passed the House and gained preliminary approval in the Senate. AKC worked very closely with its Oklahoma Federation, sent numerous alerts to Oklahoma breeders and fanciers, and several letters to key legislators and committees. The bill was sent to conference committee, but senators on the committee refused to pass the bill, and therefore HB 1332 will not move forward.

Texas – The Texas Legislature adjourned without passing House Bill 3180, a bill that limited dog ownership, allowed for unannounced inspections at any time of day, and provided vague and extensive consumer protection language that offered little recourse to the breeder. The AKC sent out numerous legislative alerts and sent updates to Texas breeders, clubs, and AKC officials.

Texas – The Texas Senate attempted to amend House Bill 2310, a straightforward bill dealing with advisory boards, to include breeder regulations and ownership limits. The AKC sent out a legislative alert and notified Texas breeders, clubs, and AKC officials about the amendments and asked them to contact the Senate. The breeder language was removed in conference committee.