Canine Legislation
Click on link below to go to the AKC website for the most up-to-date legislation information
Senate Passes Revised Pet Evacuation Bill
Legislation would mandate that local and state disaster prep plans include pets.
The U.S. Senate on Aug. 4 (2006) unanimously approved a Senate substitute to HR 3858, the Pets Evacuation and Transportation Standards (PETS) Act, adding language giving FEMA wider authority in developing disaster plans. The PETS Act, introduced in the House by U.S. Rep. Tom Lantos (D-CA) and Rep. Chris Shays (R-CT) and in the Senate by Sen. Ted Stevens (R-AK) and Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ), would require local and state disaster plans to include provisions for household pets and service animals in the event of a major disaster or emergency. The House version, HR 3858, was approved in May by a 349 to 24 vote. That bill calls for emergency preparedness plans to include consideration of people with pets and service animals before a disaster strikes. The Senate substituted its bill for the House measure, and its measure would grant FEMA the authority to assist in developing disaster plans; authorize financial help to states to create emergency shelters for people with their animals; and allow the provision of essential assistance for individuals with household pets and service animals,
and the animals themselves, following a major disaster. Maine, New Mexico, Florida, Hawaii, Louisiana, New Hampshire and Vermont have already passed state legislation, and California, Illinois, New Jersey and New York are currently considering bills dealing with animal disaster planning and response. Having passed in both the House and Senate, the bill may proceed to a conference committee of senators and representatives to work out differences in the versions of the bill each chamber approved. The bill then awaits the signature of President Bush before becoming law.
| Washington State Dog Owners: We Need Your Help! |
| [Tuesday, February 01, 2005] |
| Legislation has once again been introduced (H1016) that would prohibit insurance companies from discriminating against homeowners based on the breed of dog they own. A similar bill was considered in Washington last year but failed to pass. Your help is needed to ensure that this positive legislation is finally enacted into law! Finding and keeping homeowners' insurance has been a growing problem for responsible dog owners in recent years. In many instances, families have had no choice but to give up their canine companions because of exorbitant premiums or companies' outright refusal to cover their breed. H1016 presents a very reasonable alternative—insurance companies can raise rates or refuse coverage only if a dog has been deemed dangerous based on existing state law. The American Kennel Club believes that insurance companies should determine coverage of a dog-owning household based on the dog's deeds, not the dog's breed, and we encourage your support of this important bill! What You Can Do:
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California State Bill Would Prohibit Ear Cropping.
Another bill has been introduced in the State of California that if passed will prohibit ear cropping. The Bill “AB418” was introduced in February by State Rep. Paul Koretz. This bill differs from the legislation considered in 2004 in that is bans ear cropping only.
“AB418” has been referred to the Assembly Committee on Public Safety. However, no action can be taken on the bill until mid-March.
Additional information and updates about this bill are provided by American Kennel Club Website. Click on Update: CA Ear Crop Bill Referred to Committee and California State Bill Would Prohibit Ear Cropping.
West Hollywood, CA Considers Crop/Dock Ban
From: Carol Walker, President, American Bouvier des Flandres Club
The AKC has issued an alert on the <www.akc.org> legislative page, copied below, about pending legislation in West Hollywood, CA, to ban cropping, docking, and other procedures. Additional information on the responses of other parent clubs is available on the ABdFC web site at <www.bouvier.org>.
From the AKC web site legislative page:
[Tuesday, February 08, 2005]
At last night's meeting, Mayor John Duran [West Hollywood, CA] followed through with his introduction of a motion to ban ear cropping, tail docking, debarking and other non-therapeutic procedures. If such a measure is allowed to pass, it will establish a very dangerous model for other cities and states to follow. Help is needed immediately from fanciers --particularly West Hollywood residents--to fight this proposal. It is critical that city officials hear from residents!
Responsible dog owners should have the right to make informed health care decisions about their pets. Please help by contacting officials at the numbers below.
[Monday, February 07, 2005]
Attention California fanciers! At their meeting this evening, the West Hollywood City Council will consider asking the City Attorney to draft an ordinance banning ear cropping, tail docking, debarking, and other non-therapeutic procedures.
The American Kennel Club recognizes that ear cropping and tail docking, as described in certain breed standards, is an acceptable practice integral to defining and preserving breed character and/or enhancing good health. Appropriate veterinary care should be provided. We further believe that responsible dog owners, in consultation with their veterinarian, should have the right to make decisions about proper care and treatment for their pets - not the government.
Purebred dog owners worked hard to defeat a cropping and docking ban at the state level last year. Now the issue is resurfacing at the local level and could set a dangerous precedent for similar ordinances across California. Your help is needed once again!
What You Can Do:
Contact the Mayor and West Hollywood City Council Members. Urge them to oppose the ban on non-therapeutic procedures, including cropping and docking.
City of West Hollywood
8300 Santa Monica Boulevard
West Hollywood, CA 90069
Phone: (323) 848-6460
Fax: (323) 848-6562
http://www.weho.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=nav&navid=16
Mayor and City Council
If possible, attend tonight's meeting, which begins at 7 p.m.
For more information contact:
The Animal Council
TheAnimalCouncil@aol.com
AKC's Canine Legislation department
Doglaw@akc.org, 919-816-3720
Current AKC Legislative Alerts for 2005 Include the following. Click on the item for additional information provided by the AKC Legislative Department. | |
03-12 | |
03-09 | |
03-07 | |
03-01 | |
02-25 | |
02-23 | |
02-18 | |
02-11 | |
02-08 | |
02-08 | |
02-04 | |
02-03 | |
02-03 | Virginia Breeders Face Licensing and Mandatory Spay/Neuter Bill - Update! |
02-01 | |
02-01 | |
01-28 | |