If you hear of an issue in your town or county, contact us at (919) 816-3720 or doglaw@akc.org. We will be happy to provide you with the resources, tools, and support you need to help fight for responsible dog ownership in your community. Here are some examples of the local issues we are monitoring:

Animal Control
Elkhart, IN – The Elkhart City Council has postponed a vote on its new animal control ordinance for further consideration. The final draft limits residents to owning four animals unless their property is at least one-third of an acre and there is at least 1,000 additional square feet of property available for each additional animal. “Animal” is defined as any vertebrate (including dogs, cats, etc.) other than small caged animals. In addition, “major” and “minor” breeder licenses are required for anyone who breeds at least one dog or cat and chooses to sell or keep puppies from the litter rather than giving them to the local shelter. All breeders would be required to comply with local zoning codes. The proposal also states that no person or group may conduct “any event involving contests between animals or persons using animals in any form” unless it has been approved by local humane officers. The AKC has sent several letters of concern to the Council and notified our state federation and local concerned dog owners.

Breeding Restrictions
Lewis County, WA – The Lewis County Commission continues to work on a proposal to regulate kennels and breeders. The AKC GR department has notified our local delegates, judges, club officers and breeders encouraging them to offer their expertise and to become involved in the drafting process. AKC is now working with local responsible breeders to address vague and problematic language in the initial draft of the ordinance.

Rockingham County, NC – The Rockingham County Planning Board has tabled a proposal to define private and commercial kennels and has asked staff to rewrite the proposal for their February meeting. Under the draft presented at the January 19th meeting, any resident owning 6 or more dogs would have been considered a private kennel and anyone with 10 or more domestic animals (dogs, cats, and other household pets) would be a commercial kennel. The measure also placed expensive and burdensome regulations on responsible owners and breeders. The AKC contacted local clubs to encourage opposition and sent a letter to the planning board. AKC thanks all the local responsible dog owners and breeders who attended the planning board meeting to express their opposition.

Breed-Specific Legislation
Numerous cities are considering breed-specific ordinances:

Auburn, CA – City Councilmember Kevin Hanley has asked city staff to consider placing a breed-specific ordinance relating to "pit bulls" on a future agenda. Currently there is no draft or vote scheduled. The AKC Government Relations Department has sent a letter to city officials informing them about the California state restrictions on breed-specific ordinances and educating them about the ineffectiveness of restrictions based on breed.

Bothell, WA – The City of Bothell is considering placing restrictions on "pit bulls" and possibly other breeds they deem dangerous. A draft ordinance has not yet been written. The city plans to hold two additional public hearings on this issue, but has not yet announced the dates and times. The AKC Government Relations Department has encouraged local responsible dog owners and breeders to get involved in the drafting process.

Salem, AR – The Salem City Council will meet January 28th for a final review of an ordinance to define Staffordshire Bull Terriers, American Staffordshire Terriers, Bull Terriers, Chow-Chow, American pit bull terriers, Rottweilers, wolf hybrids, and any dog with the characteristics of these breeds as dangerous and ban them from the city. Owners may keep their current dogs with these characteristics as long as they keep the dog in a specified manner, have it sterilized, and provide proof of $100,000 in public liability insurance. AKC has alerted local clubs and sent a letter to the city council opposing the measure.

Limit Laws
Fargo, ND – The City of Fargo has passed an ownership limit of 6 dogs or cats on all residents. The new law also requires all “potentially dangerous” dogs to be sterilized, even though the designation may be removed after completion of an obedience class and an established record of good behavior. The AKC sent a letter to the city council opposing this law and notified local AKC officials and club members of the proposal urging them to contact city council and express opposition to the measure.