| October / November 2012 | | Local Issues | The AKC Government Relations Department (AKC GR) assists dog owners with canine legislation issues in their local communities, but we can’t help unless we are aware of the proposal! If you hear of an issue in your city or county, please 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 support and defend responsible dog ownership in your community.
Here are some examples of the local issues currently being addressed by AKC GR. | | | Breeding Restrictions | | Cecil County, MD — The Cecil County Board of Commissioners held a public hearing on October 16 to amend the current kennel, breeding, and licensing regulations so they only impact dog owners. Current regulations, which went into effect on October 1, include requiring a license and inspection for anyone who keeps dogs for hunting, tracking, participation in dog shows, performance events or field or obedience trials. Other new regulations include requiring anyone who is "engaged in the business of breeding" five or more dogs to obtain a kennel license, individual dog licenses, and a business license — as well as schedule annual inspections with three separate county departments. Another meeting on this issue is expected soon. Local fanciers, breeders, and exhibitors are being encouraged to contact the commission and express opposition to further dog regulations and to ask for reasonable, effective amendments to the current law. Read the law and proposed amendments here. | | Chino Valley, AZ — The Chino Valley Town Council is considering numerous changes to its animal control code. After many concerns were raised about the initial draft, a new proposal was offered that addressed some of the AKC's concerns, but still contained problematic provisions. Items of concern include defining "kennel" as an "enclosed, controlled areas in which a person keeps dogs on a permanent basis." Kennel owners would have to be licensed and subject to inspections twice a year. Thanks to the work of local clubs and fanciers, the town's Public Safety Committee agreed to not proceed with this ordinance. AKC GR issued a legislative alert regarding the hearings, sent letters of concern, and worked with local fanciers to address concerns with the proposal. AKC GR continues to work with local clubs to help the council develop more reasonable solutions. | | Chula Vista, CA — The City of Chula Vista has adopted an ordinance to regulate "pet sellers," defined as those who sell two or more animals in a year. The measure requires that pet sellers allow animal control officers to inspect their homes if there is a complaint. The ordinance does not address what happens if a pet seller refuses an inspection, is not home when the inspectors arrive, or what the inspection criteria entails. It is also unclear what happens if a pet seller does not pass the inspections. AKC opposed this measure and asked the council to redraft it to address these and other concerns. AKC GR alerted San Diego County dog owners and advised the mayor and city council of these concerns. | | Delaware Township, NJ — The Delaware Township Board of Health rejected a restrictive dog ownership and breeding proposal after hearing from numerous constituents opposed to the measure. The proposal contained numerous inaccurate findings, would have limited ownership to six intact dogs over seven months of age, and restricted breeders to two litters in a 24-month period. AKC GR issued a legislative alert, contacted the Board of Health and Township Council to express concerns, and worked closely with the New Jersey Federation of Dog Clubs in opposition to this proposal. Read more about this victory. | | Los Angeles, CA — The Los Angeles Department of Animal Services has submitted a report to the city council which recommends several changes to the city's breeding permits and spay/neuter ordinance. Changes include requiring sterilization on a second impoundment even if the animal has an intact license, removing the exemption for animals that have acquired a title or are being trained for conformation, companion or performance events, and requiring that those seeking exemptions for show or competition animals to provide verified proof of competition. The proposal would also require those who have a breeding permit to be "subject to inspection by the Los Angeles Department of Animal Services at its sole discretion." It is unknown what the city council will do with this report. AKC staff will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates if an ordinance is prepared and set for hearing. | | Macon County/Decatur, IL — The Humane Society of Decatur and Macon County is working to collect 1,000 signatures on two petitions that seek to impose mandatory spay/neuter provisions on both the City of Decatur and Macon County. The first petition asks for a law that would require sterilization for all dogs 5 months of age or older. The second petition proposes that any dog or cat considered a "stray" should be sterilized at the owner's expense prior to release from the shelter. It is presumed that this could include any dog or cat found at large even one time. With both petitions, exemptions would be made for those with breeding licenses (which are already required for anyone breeding a dog), "proven show dogs or cats" (although this is not defined), and for owners who have a signed letter from their veterinarian stating their dog is not healthy enough for the procedure. Those who reside or participate in shows in this area are encouraged to contact the Macon County Board and Decatur City Council and ask them to not support any mandatory spay/neuter proposals. AKC GR is working with the Illinois Federation of Dog Clubs and Owners in opposition to these proposals. | | Menifee, CA — The Menifee City Council has tasked an ad-hoc committee of two councilmembers to review language for a possible ordinance to ban the sale of dogs and cats in the city. It is unknown how this might affect local breeders. AKC GR staff is continuing to monitor the issue. | | Niagara Falls, NY — The Niagara Falls City Council has approved a 90-day moratorium on kennels and is in the process of drafting new kennel regulations. "Kennels" are currently defined as any building or lot where four or more dogs or cats are raised and/or boarded for "sale, breeding, grooming, training... or are sheltered for humanitarian reasons." AKC GR provided recommendations to council staff on reasonable and effective solutions to address their concerns. More information about the draft regulations will be provided as it becomes available. | | Oswego, IL — The Oswego Village Board has passed legislation to ensure that village residents comply with state kennel regulations. This was a compromise solution after various groups requested that the board ban pet stores and ensure that no dogs from substandard kennels were sold in the village. State law already requires that anyone with 5 breeding females obtain a kennel license. The new village law also includes some basic care and condition standards, including ensuring that the kennels are regularly cleaned and that dogs have access to adequate amounts of food and water. AKC GR worked with its Illinois federations and local fanciers to ensure the law did not include any unreasonable engineering or care standards. | | Ovid, NY — The Ovid Town Board is considering an 18-month moratorium on new and expanded commercial boarding kennels, training kennels and pet breeders. The measure was tabled at the September meeting and may be reconsidered at the meeting on November 14. AKC GR sent a letter of concern to the Board and alerted its New York federation. | | | Breed-Specific Legislation/Dangerous Dog Measures | | Marianna, AR — Marianna commissioners will appoint a citizen's committee to make recommendations regarding a dangerous dog ordinance. AKC GR provided information in support of fair measures that do not discriminate against owners of specific breeds and will continue to offer assistance to the committee. | | Pasadena, CA — The Pasadena Public Safety Committee has provided a staff report regarding a possible breed-specific mandatory spay/neuter ordinance. The committee has not yet decided if they will pursue this issue. AKC GR will continue to monitor the issue and will notify local clubs and residents once a meeting has been scheduled or a draft proposal released. | | Breaux Bridge, LA — A recent media report indicated that the Breaux Bridge City Council may discuss a breed ban at its upcoming meeting. AKC GR has contacted the mayor and members of the city council regarding the benefits of breed-neutral dangerous dog laws. AKC GR will continue to monitor developments in Breaux Bridge. | | York County, SC — The York County Council is moving forward on revisions to the county animal ordinance. Dog confinement requirements, tethering restrictions, and breed-specific restrictions are among the provisions under consideration. New definitions for "adequate shelter, "at large," "public nuisance," "ill treatment of animals" and other terms may also be considered. AKC GR has alerted local dog owners and continues to monitor this issue. | | Etowah, TN — Despite tremendous opposition to the measure, the Etowah City Commission passed an ordinance to ban the ownership of "pit bulls," defined as Bull Terriers, Staffordshire Bull Terriers, American Staffordshire Terriers, American pit bull terriers, mixes of these breeds, and any dog that has the appearance and characteristics of being predominantly of these breeds. Current owners of targeted breeds are allowed to keep their dogs provided they register the dog with the city recorder and comply with extensive regulations. AKC GR alerted local residents about the measure and sent letters of concern to commissioners. | | | Limit Laws | | Hernando County, FL — On November 13, the Hernando County Commission enacted an ordinance to revise the county animal control code. As originally proposed, the ordinance would have designated certain owners of multiple dogs as "kennels", provided animal control personnel the authority to inspect such "kennels" and private residences without a warrant, and limited the ability of rescue groups not incorporated as 501(c)(3) organizations to operate in the county. The assistant county attorney worked with members of the Florida Association of Kennel Clubs and other concerned animal owners to amend several of the problematic provisions of the ordinance prior to the vote. AKC GR alerted area dog owners, sent a letter of concern to commissioners, and provided analysis and recommended revisions. | | Franklin Lakes, NJ — The Franklin Lakes Board of Health has recommended that the mayor and council consider placing limits on the number of pets that can be legally kept at any single residence. AKC GR continues to work with the New Jersey Federation of Dog Clubs on this issue, and will respond once a proposal is introduced. | | Mendham Township, NJ — In early summer, the Mendham Township Committee considered a dog ownership limit ordinance. Due to the strong reaction of both Township residents and interested organizations including the American Kennel Club, the ordinance was unanimously tabled. AKC GR continues to work with the New Jersey Federation of Dog Clubs in an effort to ensure that any effort on the part of Mendham Township to strengthen their nuisance laws does not include ownership limits. | | | |
