Change is happening within the American Kennel Club (AKC) following the death of Reign and the subsequent tragic losses of dogs left unattended in vehicles. The AKC Board of Directors adopted a new policy on unattended dogs in vehicles at its July 2026 Board Meeting.
Effective immediately, the AKC’s new Unattended Dogs in Vehicles Policy prohibits leaving dogs unattended in vehicles that are fully enclosed or do not have adequate ventilation and airflow. Simply having fans, air conditioning, temperature monitors, remote alerts, or other electronic devices does not, by itself, make a vehicle safe for an unattended dog. Owners and handlers are responsible for ensuring that dogs are kept in conditions that protect them from heat-related illness, distress, injury, or death.
Reign for Change applauds the AKC Board of Directors for recognizing that dogs come first—always. We sincerely hope the AKC’s new policy sends a clear and convincing message to everyone involved in AKC events: the health and welfare of the dogs must be the paramount concern and the highest priority for every single person involved with and handling dogs at AKC events. However, the new policy is also begging for additional clarification and explanation of the new policy.
As part of implementing the new policy, the AKC also added a new offense to its disciplinary guidelines for violations of the Unattended Dogs in Vehicles Policy.
These tragic deaths, including Reign’s death at the hands of a professional handler, are completely unacceptable. Another important step toward reducing—and ultimately eliminating—these preventable tragedies is moving beyond the mindset that they are merely “mistakes” or “accidents.” The death of a dog in an unattended vehicle is either intentional or the result of negligence. It is not a mistake.
Every dog owner, handler, and breeder must be willing to imagine their own dog in Reign’s situation. AKC events are not about people or individual achievements—they are about dogs. Without dogs, the AKC does not exist. Without dogs, the sports do not exist.
Again, we applaud the AKC Board of Directors for attempting to protect dogs. Hopefully, the AKC will provide further clarification. Much more can and should be done, and Reign for Change will continue to advocate for additional measures to create a comprehensive culture of dog safety. The single most important piece to protecting dogs at AKC events is stiffer sanctions and accountability. Accountability is a major component to prevention.
