(PRESS RELEASE) NEW YORK, NY — The American Kennel Club (AKC), a not-for-profit organization that is the world’s largest registry of pedigree purebred dogs, and a leading voice for canine welfare and responsible ownership, announced that a petition filed by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals(PETA) in the New York Supreme Court has been denied, and the proceeding dismissed.
In July 2025, PETA filed a petition seeking to compel AKC to take action under its Charter and Bylaws in response to PETA’s complaints and to declare that AKC acted improperly in its handling of the complaints under Article 78. The petition also sought to prevent AKC from continuing to use the official breed standards for the Bulldog, French Bulldog, Pug, Dachshund, and Chinese Shar-Pei.
In September 2025, AKC filed a Motion to Dismiss, arguing, among other points, that Article 78 does not apply to the claims presented and that PETA lacked standing to bring the case. PETA subsequently opposed the motion.
The Court has now granted AKC’s Motion to Dismiss and denied PETA’s petition. In its decision, the Court affirmed that AKC is a private, not-for-profit organization and that PETA is not a member, nor subject to AKC authority, discipline or regulation, and thus AKC’s actions are not subject to review in an Article 78 proceeding.
“This decision reinforces AKC’s role as a private organization and our ability to uphold the standards and governance processes that are central to our mission,” said Gina M. DiNardo, President and CEO of the American Kennel Club. “We remain focused on what matters most, the preservation of purebred dogs, advocating for all dogs and the people who care for them, and supporting the right of individuals and families to choose the dog that is right for their household.”
AKC views this outcome as a meaningful win for the organization, its breeds, and its National Breed Clubs, allowing continued dedication to its mission and the advancement of responsible dog ownership.
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For more information, visit www.akc.org.
About the American Kennel Club
Founded in 1884, the American Kennel Club is a not-for-profit organization which maintains the largest registry of purebred dogs in the world and oversees the sport of dogs in the United States. The AKC is dedicated to upholding the integrity of its registry, promoting the sport of purebred dogs and breeding for type and function. Along with its more than 4,900 licensed and member clubs and its affiliated organizations, the AKC advocates for the purebred dog as a family companion, advances canine health and well-being, works to protect the rights of all dog owners and promotes responsible dog ownership. More than 28,000 competitions for AKC-registered purebred and mixed breed dogs are held under AKC rules and regulations each year including conformation, agility, obedience, rally, tracking, herding, lure coursing, coonhound events, scent work, hunt tests, field and earthdog tests.
Affiliate AKC organizations include the AKC Humane Fund, AKC Canine Health Foundation, AKC Reunite, the AKC Museum of the Dog, and the AKC Purebred Preservation Bank. For more information, visit www.akc.org.
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