Alaska is named least dog-friendly spot in the US – but less than one-third of states have laws against stealing pups
IF you’re traveling to Alaska any time soon, don’t bring your dog. You’re barking up the wrong tree.
The state has been ranked the least welcoming spot in the country for canines, with a “dog-friendly” score of zero.
Show Sight Magazine shared the pet report after looking at dog facilities, pet-friendly activities, and services provided in each state.
A state’s total score was determined based on the number of services, dog-friendly facilities, activities, and dog theft laws it has.
Taking the top spot for the most dog-friendly state is Rhode Island, with a score of 9.29/10.
The state paw-sitively beat out all other competition with more than 470 dog services per 1,000 square miles.
Rhode Island is also one of just 15 states that have laws against dog theft.
In Rhode Island, those who steal or attempt to steal horses or other domestic animals can be imprisoned for up to a year or fined up to $500, or both.
Following closely are Connecticut and Delaware at No. 2 and No. 3, respectively.
Other top ten contenders include New Hampshire, North Carolina, Virginia, New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, and Maryland.
The bottom of the list, however, includes states like Wyoming, Montana, and North Dakota, which performed poorly when Showsight researchers took a look at its doggy facilities.
Alaska came in dead last, with zero points out of ten, partially due to its lack of laws that protect against dog theft.
The state’s large size, at 665,400 square miles, had a huge impact on its dog services to area ratio.
“Due to its large size, dog services, activities, and facilities are hard to come by in Alaska. This state also has no laws against dog theft,” Show Sight Magazine explained.
Alaska, like much of the country, hasn’t criminalized animal theft.
Fewer than a third of states in the United States have laws against stealing dogs.
Those that do, impose small fines and little to no jail time.
States such as California and Louisiana base the penalty for animal theft on the monetary value of the dog.
Virginia, Louisiana, Oklahoma, New York, and Mississippi are believed to have the best dog theft protections.
In New York, a fine of up to $1,000 or jail time of up to six months, or both, can be imposed.