Dog Experts Warn Against Letting Emotion Drive Pet Policy

(Source: MIRS.news, Published 08/07/2026) (CHICAGO) – A room filled with dogs may have made this one of the cutest sessions at the National Conference of State Legislatures’ annual summit last week.

The message for lawmakers remained serious: When crafting pet policies, follow the data, not emotion.

The discussion came as pet policies continue to evolve in legislatures across the country, including in Michigan, where Gov. Gretchen Whitmer recently signed bills preventing people convicted of animal abuse from reclaiming their animals and requiring them to help cover the cost of housing those animals at shelters.

Jennifer Clark of the American Kennel Club (AKC) and Jerry Klein, head emeritus of emergency veterinary medicine at MedVet Chicago, warned lawmakers against creating one-size-fits-all policies as they discussed laws involving dogs, from animal cruelty to dangerous-dog regulations.

“We all love dogs and want to come up with solutions to give them the best life possible,” Clark said.

Both said high-profile incidents involving dogs, particularly cases of abuse or attacks, can create pressure for lawmakers to respond quickly. Klein said that response should be informed by research that may challenge lawmakers’ initial assumptions.

Clark said lawmakers should first determine what problem they are trying to solve and whether the conduct is already prohibited.

All 50 states have animal cruelty laws, she said, meaning the conduct behind many high-profile cases may already be illegal. The question may instead be whether existing laws contain loopholes, lack clarity or are not being adequately enforced.

Michigan’s recently enacted laws prohibit people convicted of animal abuse from reclaiming their animals and require them to help cover shelter costs for seized animals. The package, spearheaded by Sen. Dayna Polehanki (D-Livonia), also created a fundraising license plate to support animal welfare programs.

Clark said lawmakers should also recognize that regulations appropriate for one type of dog may not work for another.

For example, policymakers may want to set temperature limits for dogs kept outdoors, but Clark said different breeds tolerate heat and cold differently. Klein added that health, weight and whether an animal is a working or hunting dog can also affect what conditions it can safely tolerate.

The same principle applies to spaying and neutering, Klein said.

Dog owners have traditionally been encouraged to spay or neuter their pets early to control overpopulation and prevent unwanted behavior. Klein said research has shown that doing so too early may increase the risk of certain cancers and hip dysplasia in some dogs.

For some animals, he said, waiting until later in life may be healthier.

The examples demonstrate why lawmakers should bring veterinarians, animal organizations and other affected groups into the process before settling on a policy, Clark said.

What initially sounds like an obvious solution may become more complicated once lawmakers examine the science, enforcement costs and practical consequences.

Klein said education is also critical, particularly before someone adopts a dog. Better-informed owners could help prevent some of the incidents that later prompt calls for new legislation.

Clark said lawmakers should ask several basic questions before acting: What problem does the proposal address? Is it enforceable? Is the conduct already illegal? And is the proposed solution supported by data?

“By asking these questions, lawmakers can avoid unintended consequences, focus resources where they are most needed, and support approaches that truly benefit dogs, owners, and communities alike,” the AKC said.