2024 LEGISLATIVE ACTIVITY

The American Kennel Club (AKC) and the Connecticut Federation of Dog Clubs and Responsible Dog Owners (CFDRDO) work hard to oppose legislation that would negatively impact Connecticut dog owners, breeders, and exhibitors.

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Wednesday, December 18, 2024  https://www.akc.org/legislative-alerts/federal-update-cdc-revisit-dog-importation-rules-2025

 

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has provided public notice that it will propose revisions and certifications to the requirements for the importation of dogs that it finalized earlier in 2024. The dog import rule that was implemented in August 2024 was designed to limit the public health risk of dogs being imported into the U.S. with DMRVV (canine rabies). The American Kennel Club (AKC) strongly supports the intent of protecting pet and public health, but remains concerned that the 2024 rule is overly broad and fails to recognize the range of factors that contribute to or mitigate actual risk. AKC continues to work with diverse groups of stakeholders and lawmakers to express these concerns. A new advanced notice of public rulemaking is expected in the first half of 2025. AKC will continue to follow this issue and provide updates as they becomes available.

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November 18, 2024  https://www.akc.org/legislative-alerts/u-s-congress-new-senate-farm-bill-includes-dangerous-anti-breeder-proposals-take-action-now/

 

Please forward this important information to fellow club members and responsible dog owners. Congress is back in Washington for the lame-duck session and working to quickly move major legislation, such as the Farm Bill, not completed before the election. Yesterday, the Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Stabenow (D-MI) released the Senate version of the federal farm bill, The Rural Prosperity and Security Act of 2024, for immediate consideration. Unlike its House counterpart, this bill contains harmful proposals from the Better CARE for Animals Act (H.R.5041/ Senate Bill 2555). Lobbyists for animal rights groups are actively pushing to advance these anti-breeder proposals. Please respectfully call, email, or even leave a voice message for your U.S. Senators TODAY. Ask them to OPPOSE problematic proposals in Senate Farm Bill section 12508. Instead, ask them to SUPPORT the Committee-passed version of the House Farm Bill (HR 8467) with NO additional amendments related to dogs. Thank you for making your voice heard today. Your action can help protect responsible breeders and purebred dogs.

 

Easy steps to contact your Senators: 1.Visit AKC’s Legislative Action Center legislator contact page at https://akcgr.org/officials and type in your address/ state to find the names and contact information for your U.S. Senators. 2.Explain you are a constituent. Respectfully share your experience and concerns as a dog owner/breeder/expert.Ask them to OPPOSE problematic proposals in Senate Farm Bill section 12508. Instead, ask them to support the House Agriculture Committee-passed version of the House Farm Bill (HR 8467) with NO additional amendments related to dogs.

 

OPTIONAL: If you wish to be more specific, add the following details: Ask your Senators to OPPOSE problematic proposals in Senate Farm Bill section 12508 including: •Expanding the jurisdiction of the Attorney General (AG) to enforce the Federal Animal Welfare Act (AWA). Section 20 of this measure gives the AG (DOJ) enforcement authority even beyond what is currently possessed by the Secretary of Agriculture (USDA). This memorializes animal rights/protection groups’ false narrative that conflates dog breeding with animal cruelty.•The Animal Welfare Act establishes licensing and regulation of breeders and other animal entities: It belongs under the authority of the Secretary of Agriculture and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) with its extensive experience in animal matters. Violations of licensing laws where no crime is committed is a matter for the USDA, not the Department of Justice. Current law, and a recent Memorandum of Understanding between the USDA and DOJ clarify that the Department of Agriculture can and does already work cooperatively with the DOJ in cases where a crime has been committed. •Sense of Congress that Federal Courts have authority over violations of the AWA. If Congress had intended the Dept of Justice to have this authority, it would have given it to them when the AWA was first written.•Allowing the Attorney General to seize any animal for any violation of the AWA or its existing or future regulations and standards–including paperwork violations—irrespective of any harm to the anima•Allowing penalties of $10,000, each day, per violation, for any violation of the AWA or its existing or future regulations and standards –including paperwork violations.•Rewards and incentive pay for any person (including unregulated entities)) caring for seized animals. This incentivizes seizure of animals from regulated entities with potential minor violations to be then placed in unregulated facilities. This not only compromises the welfare of the animals; in a case where a crime is suspected, lack of proper documentation, training and record keeping undermines the evidentiary chain of custody. Ask them to oppose any added language from Better CARE for Animals Act and the Puppy Protection Act. These measures do nothing to improve the wellbeing of dogs, will create confusion in enforcing the Animal Welfare Act (AWA), and undermine prioritizing proper care and conditions for dogs.•Remind your lawmakers that the House Agriculture Committee-passed version of the Farm Bill already contains: oAdditional resources for USDA to better enforce the Animal Welfare Act (AWA)oRequires USDA to report to Congress on existing enforcement with recommendations on improving enforcement and enhancing educational programs and outreach.oImproves enforcement of the AWA by requiring any inspector finding unrelieved suffering by animals to report that immediately to local authorities who have jurisdiction over animal welfare in their communities.oLanguage from the Healthy Dog Importation Act, which addresses public health threats related to the import of unhealthy dogs into the U.S., without requiring that all dogs imported into the U.S. be a minimum of 6 months old.Background Learn more about the House - Committee passed version of the Farm Bill, HR 8467Summary of ‘Better CARE for Animals Act’ (H.R.5041/ Senate Bill 2555)•Circumvents enforcement of dog breeder licensing under the Animal Welfare Act (AWA) by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and shifts authority to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ). This shift would move oversight authority from an agency staffed by animal experts that focuses on improving animal husbandry; and instead place it with one with little or no animal expertise that focuses on violations as potential federal crimes. •Empowers the DOJ to file charges, seize animals and impose penalties regardless of whether USDA has determined or even alleged that there has been a violation of the Animal Welfare Act (AWA). (See Senate Farm Bill specifics in bullets above.)•Could potentially undermine or remove current exemptions from licensing for small hobby breeders, thereby requiring them to be licensed and comply with USDA standards for high volume commercial breeders that are not appropriate for hobbyists.To learn more, visit www.akcgr.org.

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Thursday, August 1, 2024  https://www.akc.org/legislative-alerts/new-dog-import-rules-effect-today

 

Today, Thursday, August 1, 2024, new rules for the importation of dogs into the United States have gone into effect. HISTORY In July 2023, the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) proposed new rules to address the public health risk of dog-maintained rabies virus variant (aka, canine rabies) associated with the importation of dogs into the U.S. In addition to issuing multiple calls to action for all dog owners, the American Kennel Club (AKC) submitted a formal comment in September 2023 to CDC, urging it to retain its policy allowing personally-owned dogs that have not spent time in countries classified as high-risk or restricted for canine rabies to be imported into the U.S. younger than six months of age if they met health and vaccination requirements. On May 8, 2024, CDC released a letter to stakeholders advising of coming changes to the rules pertaining to the importation of dogs and cats into the U.S. The text of the final rule was published in the Federal Register on May 13, 2024. Since then, many concerned purebred dog owners, enthusiasts, and sportsmen, along with airlines and groups that import rescue dogs from foreign countries, have expressed deep concerns with the impact the new rules will have. This feedback has resulted in changes to how the new rules’ requirements will be enforced.

 

UPDATES ON THE CDC DOG IMPORT FORM To provide greater flexibility to the requirements for dogs coming from canine rabies-free or low-risk countries, dogs that have spent the prior six months only in canine rabies-free or low-risk countries will be able to enter the U.S. with a CDC Dog Import Form online submission receipt as acceptable documentation. This form can be filled out the day travel, and the receipt can be shown to airlines and border officials by phone or printed copy. For these dogs, the receipt will be good for travel into the U.S. for six months from the date of issuance, including multiple entries into the U.S. However, all dogs entered the U.S. must have a microchip and be over six months of age. In a recent discussion with AKC staff, CDC staff clarified that for dogs that have not been in a canine rabies high-risk country in the six months prior to importation, the CDC Dog Import Form does not require the importer to provide a photo of the dog or its microchip number. However, both CDC and AKC recommend that importers of these dogs travel with a digital or printed copy of their dog’s vaccination record, a photo of their dog, and a record of the dog’s microchip number as a precautionary measure. It should be noted that some U.S. states may also require this or similar information. For dogs that spent any time in a country classified as high-risk for canine rabies in the six months before entering the U.S., additional documents and requirements remain in effect. For these dogs, the CDC Dog Import Form will require the dog’s microchip number and photo. REQUIREMENTS, BY TYPE OF IMPORTATION All dogs being imported into the U.S. must:•Appear healthy upon arrival.•Be at least six months old at the time of entry or return to the U.S.•Have a microchip that can be detected with a universal scanner to identify them.•Be accompanied by a receipt for a CDC Dog Import Form.Additional requirements may be required by CDC, depending on the type of importation. For:•Dogs from Dog-Rabies Free or Low Risk Countries, click here.•S.-Vaccinated Dogs from High-Risk Countries, click here.•Foreign-Vaccinated Dogs from High-Risk Countries, click here.For dogs arriving in the U.S. by air and that traveled in-cabin, airlines are now required to generate air waybills. This requirement is the same as has been required of dogs arriving in the U.S. by air but that were flown as cargo. Airlines unable to generate an air waybill for in-cabin dogs due to the time required for technology updates may obtain a temporary waiver by providing the same data to CDC in another format. Anyone travelling with a dog who intends to arrive in the U.S. by air is strongly encouraged to contact their airline to determine and meet requirements prior to arriving at an airport for travel. CDC staff continues to emphasize that the latest information available to importers is available on its website at www.cdc.gov/dogtravel. CDC staff also noted that the first nine months of implementation of the new dog importation rules will be an “adaptation” period, during which it will be looking at additional information and program performance to determine reasonableness, feasibility, and potential rule changes.

 

CONCERNS REMAIN, CONTACT CONGRESS AND CDC AKC recognizes the serious health threats posed by the recent, continuing import of unhealthy dogs using fraudulent veterinary/import paperwork, and supports CDC’s intention of protecting the public from serious health risks. However, AKC remains concerned that banning the import of all dogs younger than six months is overly burdensome and will have a disproportionate impact on the entry/importation of low-risk, personally-owned dogs, including those that regularly cross the U.S.-Canadian border for canine events, training, veterinary care, and breeder collaboration. If you have concerns about the new import rule, we encourage you to contact your members of the U.S. House and Senate, and the CDC. Respectfully express your concerns. It is recommended that breed enthusiasts who import personally-owned dogs from canine-rabies free or low-risk countries, or owners who routinely cross a land border with their dog, ask Congress and CDC to eliminate the disproportionate impact that they experience, particularly regarding the requirement that puppies be six months of age for importation. Share messages in personalized, individual emails, calls, or letters in which you represent your own situation or that of your club.Tell your story about how it negatively impacts you and your colleagues, events, etc., as responsible dog enthusiasts. Ask the CDC to continue to work with AKC and other organizations that represent responsible dog owners to consider exceptions for personally-owned dogs that can affirmatively demonstrate little risk of canine rabies. Other points you may wish to include:The final rule disregards the difference in risk profiles for personally-owned pets and dogs intended for transfer.The proposed rule for comment included exceptions, potentially reducing comment, but the final rule provided no exceptions.There is little risk from fully vaccinated puppies from low-risk countries entering the U.S. at four months of age. 

 

To find out who represents you in Congress, visit: www.akcgr.org/officials/. FOR MORE INFORMATION First, go to www.cdc.gov/dogtravel for the latest information on CDC’s dog importation requirements. Then, for specific inquiries or to express concerns, contact CDC at (404) 498-1600 or cdcanimalimports@cdc.gov. You may also contact AKC Government Relations at doglaw@akc.org.

 

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July 19, 2024  https://www.akc.org/legislative-alerts/cdcs-dog-import-rule-share-concerns-cdc-congress

 

On August 1, 2024, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will implement new restrictions and requirements for the entry of dogs into the U.S. Anyone planning to bring a dog into the U.S. in the near future should familiarize themselves with upcoming import policy changes. The American Kennel Club (AKC) recognizes the serious health threats posed by the recent, continuing import of unhealthy dogs using fraudulent veterinary/import paperwork, and supports CDC’s intention of protecting the public from serious health risks. However, AKC remains concerned that banning the import of all dogs younger than six months is overly burdensome and will have a disproportionate impact on the entry/importation of low-risk, personally-owned dogs, including those that regularly cross the U.S.-Canadian border for canine events, veterinary care, and breeder collaboration. What You Can DoAKC is pleased that some members of Congress, as well as other responsible sporting dog organizations, share this concern and are asking CDC to delay implementation of this rule for at least six months, so that possible exceptions for low-risk, personally-owned dogs may be considered. If you have concerns about the new import rule, we encourage you to contact your members of the U.S. House and Senate, and the CDC. Respectfully express your concerns and ask for a delay in implementing the new rule so that concerns relating to personally-owned, low-risk canine imports/entry can be addressed. Congressional outreach is particularly valuable if you live in states that are close to the U.S./Canada border, as many of these members are in direct contact with the CDC regarding this issue.•Share messages in personalized, individual emails, calls, or letters in which you represent your own situation or that of your club.•Tell your story about how it negatively impacts you and your colleagues, events, etc., as responsible dog enthusiasts.•Ask the CDC to work with the American Kennel Club and other organizations that represent responsible dog owners to consider exceptions for personally-owned dogs that can affirmatively demonstrate little risk of canine rabies.Other points you may wish to include:•The final rule disregards the difference in risk profiles for personally-owned pets and dogs intended for transfer.•The proposed rule for comment included exceptions, potentially reducing comment, but the final rule provided no exceptions.•There is little risk from fully vaccinated puppies from low-risk countries entering the U.S. at four months of age.For additional information, please review: •AKC one-page fact sheet: Understanding CDC’s New Rule for Bringing Dogs into the United States (double sided)•AKC four-page fact sheet: Understanding CDC’s New Rule for Bringing Dogs into the United States•AKC’s July 17, 2024, joint letter with the Canadian Kennel Club to CDC, regarding dog imports.To find out who represents you in Congress, visit: www.akcgr.org/officials/ To contact the CDC for specific inquiries or to express concerns, call (404) 498-1600 or email cdcanimalimports@cdc.gov. More information about the rule is available at www.cdc.gov/dogtravel. If you can, please also share your messages and any responses with the AKC Government Relations team at doglaw@akc.org. We will use these messages for reference as we continue to reach out directly to Members of Congress and the CDC. Your respectful outreach can lay a foundation for cooperation between responsible dog owners and government agencies to protect both public health and canine travel. Thank you.

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Thursday, June 20, 2024https://www.akc.org/legislative-alerts/connecticut-canine-bills-become-law

 

Please share this update with Legislative Liaisons, Club Members, and Responsible Dog Owners in Connecticut. Two bills supported by the American Kennel Club (AKC) and the Connecticut Federation of Dog Clubs and Responsible Dog Owners (CFDRDO) were recently signed into law by Governor Ned Lamont. A change to the rabies vaccination schedule has also been made.

 

SENATE BILL 339 – RESTITUTION FOR INJURY OR DEATH OF POLICE K-9 Public Act No. 24-65 was signed into law on May 28 and is effective October 1. It requires restitution by anyone that injures or kills a police K-9 or volunteer search and rescue dog by requiring that person to pay the cost of incurred veterinary services and, if the dog is no longer able to perform its duties, the costs and expenses incurred in the purchase and training of a replacement dog. AKC is grateful for this recognition of the public safety value these working dogs provide. Click here to learn more details.

 

HOUSE BILL 5304 – DESIGNATING THE STATE DOG Public Act No. 24-121, in part, names the Siberian Husky as the state dog of Connecticut. Governor Lamont signed it on June 5, and it becomes effective October 1, 2024. Motivation for passing the bill came in part in celebration of the University of Connecticut men’s basketball national championships in both 2023 and 2024. The team’s mascot is the Husky. The Connecticut Valley Siberian Husky Club has offered to attend a ceremonial bill signing with their beloved dogs, if scheduled!

 

HOUSE BILL 5223 - MINOR REVISIONS TO AGRICULTURE RELATED STATUTES Legislation proposed by the Connecticut Department of Agriculture, HB 5223, in addition to provisions noted in this AKC update, was amended by the House to change the rabies vaccination schedule from “the age of three months or older” to “ twelve weeks or more of age but less than fourteen weeks of age, or at the age that the vaccine manufacturer recommends and approved by the United States Department of Agriculture”. The change was requested by Connecticut’s Veterinary Medical Association and is effective immediately after amended HB 5223 was signed by the Governor on May 30 as Public Act No. 24-69 (page 8). For more information on these or other legislative issues in Connecticut, contact AKC’s Government Relations Department at 919-816-3720 or doglaw@akc.org. 

 

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AKC’s Bebout Award: This presitigioous award was presented to Laurie Maulucci, President, and Members of Connecticut Federation of Dog Clubs and Responsible Dog Owners

 

Congratulations to Laurie Maulucci, President, and members of the Connecticut Federation of Dog Clubs and Responsible Dog Owners (CFDRDO), winners of the Walter Bebout Memorial Award for Leadership in Canine Legislation. The Award was presented to CFDRDO and accepted by Ms. Maulucci at the federation’s February 12 meeting.Over the past ten years, Maulucci has made significant contributions influencing Connecticut canine legislation as federation President. In 2022, she advised the Connecticut Department of Agriculture (Department) on selecting Dr. Arnold Goldman, DVM to serve on a workgroup to help develop an online dog licensing system. Her advocacy resulted in a consensus vote to establish a flat license fee for all dogs, replacing a system of higher fees for unaltered dogs. The program will be advanced by the Department. An unusual number of dog-related bills were filed in January 2023. Maulucci coordinated with CFDRDO leaders and AKC Government Relations to review 21 different proposals. During the legislative session, she testified before three committees at public hearings and presented comments based on concerns communicated to her from Connecticut club members. Maulucci also traveled to Hartford to attend press events and meet with lawmakers to secure favorable amendments. As a result, CFDRDO was successful in not only blocking passage of a bill that would have changed the legal status of animals, but also in securing favorable amendments to both an animal cruelty bill and a kennel and domestic dog bill before they became law. Ms. Maulucci has been an integral contributor to the Tufts AKC Whelping Program Selective at Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, which was initiated in the 2022 Fall semester. She continues to coordinate veterinary students’ attendance at dog shows and health clinics, and her network has garnered speakers that enhance the quality of roundtable discussions and secured club donations to reimburse students’ program travel expenses. This semester, the program will have mentored nine veterinary students in the whelping of healthy litters and the specialty of canine reproduction. AKC is grateful for the outstanding dedication that Ms. Maulucci and other members of CFDRDO have demonstrated in protecting the future of purebred dogs in Connecticut. About the Bebout Award:The “Bebout” award recognizes federations and owner/breeder organizations that have demonstrated leadership in educating legislators about responsible dog ownership issues, and have worked to preserve the rights of responsible owners and breeders. Winners of the Bebout award receive a $1,000 donation to help offset the costs associated with their legislative efforts.

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Monday, March 11, 2024  https://www.akc.org/legislative-alerts/ct-update-proposed-change-grooming-facility-license-definition

 

Please share this alert with Legislative Liaisons, Club Members, and Responsible Dog Owners in Connecticut. Last month, the American Kennel Club (AKC) issued an alert regarding HB 5223, which proposed a change to the legal definition of “grooming facility” to include those doing business in “any vehicle or trailer”. AKC’s concern was that professional handlers exhibiting in the state could be required to obtain a grooming facility license because of the broad wording of the proposed definition. AKC expressed these concerns when testifying before the Connecticut Joint Environment Committee’s public hearing on Wednesday, February 28, 2024. Afterwards, AKC staff and the President of the Connecticut Federation of Dog Clubs and Responsible Dog Owners (CFDRDO) met with Connecticut’s Department of Agriculture (the Department) to provide details regarding handlers’ primary services of training, conditioning, and exhibiting, with grooming provided as incidental to those services. As a result, the Department concluded that no state grooming facility license would be required in these instances, despite the legislative change. An amended HB 5223 has now been voted favorably by the committee. Thank you to everyone who viewed our alert and took action. AKC is proud that our collective efforts have resulted in an acceptable outcome with the Department. AKC Government Relations (AKC GR) will provide additional information during the 2024 Connecticut legislative session as developments warrant. For more information, contact AKC GR at doglaw@akc.org

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AKC Government Relations and CFDRDO will continue to monitor all bills in Connecticut impacting dog owners and communicate with lawmakers to share our concerns and more positive, effective solutions. For questions or more information, contact AKC GR at doglaw@akc.org.