https://www.akc.org/legislative-alerts/new-york-update-bills-impacting-dog-owners-considered-soon-tomorrow/
May 9, 2022
The New York State Assembly and Senate are expected to adjourn for the year in
just four weeks. As such, dozens of bills are on the move, including many
with the potential to impact dog owners.
Please note that some bills are scheduled for hearings tomorrow, or are pending
a vote at any time by the full Assembly or Senate.
Highlights of key bills with anticipated action this week are listed below,
along with information on how to contact the appropriate legislators:
• S. 1130/A. 4283 - Retail Pet Store Bans/Rescue Restrictions
Status: Senate Bill 1130 is pending a vote by the full Senate
Assembly Bill 4283 is being considered by the Assembly Codes Committee on
Tuesday, May 10.
Summary: These bills will prohibit retail pet stores from selling any dogs or
cats. Instead, they would only be allowed to “showcase” animals available for
adoption from a shelter, rescue, or adoption agency that has no affiliation
with breeders. AKC is concerned that this bill removes consumer protection,
and also implies that the best place to get a dog is from a rescue or shelter –
and not a rescue that is in any way affiliated with breeders. (See previous
AKC alert for more information and talking points)
What You Can Do:
S. 1130- Contact your State Senator TODAY and let them know you oppose Senate
Bill 1130. Use the “Find Your Senator” tool on the New York Senate website to
find the name and contact information for your State Senator.
A. 4283 – The bill is being heard in the Assembly Codes Committee tomorrow, and
also must be considered by the Assembly Rules Committee. However, the pressure
is building for this bill to be approved as soon as possible. Contact your
State Assemblymember and let them know you are a constituent that opposes this
bill. Use the Member Search tool on the State Assembly website to find the
name and contact information for your Assemblymember.
• A. 5746 – Wildlife Competition Restrictions (contains AKC amendments)
Status: Pending a vote by the full Assembly
Summary: This bill makes it unlawful to organize, sponsor, or participate in
any competition with the object of “taking or hunting wildlife for prizes or
other inducement, or for entertainment.” AKC worked closely with the sponsor
in previous years and was successful in getting the bill amended to exempt dog
training areas, field trials, or “any similar canine performance events.”
Other sportsmen groups were successful in obtaining exemptions for hunting
competitions for deer, turkey, or bear.
AKC is pleased that our exemption for performance events and dog training
continues to be included in the bill. The other sporting exemptions are also
included.
What You Can Do:
AKC remains neutral so long as the important protections for performance events
and training remain in the bill. Those who wish to contact their State
Assemblymember may do so by using the Member Search tool on the State Assembly
website.
• Senate Agriculture – Bills on importation, shelter and rescue
regulation, and licensing
Status: Hearing TOMORROW, Tuesday, May 10
Summaries: Two bills of interest are being considered tomorrow in committee:
• S. 8973 – Lost dog recovery and licensure
This is a simple bill that says that if a stray dog is picked up, it can be
returned to the owner if the dog is properly licensed. The owner will be
determined as the name and address associated with the license. AKC
appreciates that this bill will allow lost dogs properly identified to be
reunited more quickly with their owners.
• S. 6870 – Regulation on importation of dogs for sale, and care for
dogs in shelters and rescues
This bill contains numerous new requirements to ensure the appropriate care of
animals at shelters. It also contains some requirements for those who provide
foster care for animals in shelters.
S. 6870 also provides new requirements for any dog or cat imported into New
York “for sale, resale or adoption”. Current law requires a health certificate
for dogs entering New York State for sale, resale or adoption. In addition,
the dog must have a rabies vaccination unless it is under 3 months of age.
Under this bill, any person in the state who is receiving a dog for one of
these purposes must hold the dog for 48 hours. If during this period the dog
demonstrates signs of any infectious, contagious, parasitic or communicable
disease, then the animal must be taken immediately to the veterinarian and
quarantined if necessary until the animal is declared free of disease.
Dogs temporarily entering the state for exhibition for fewer than 15 days are
exempted, so long as the dog is vaccinated for rabies (if over 3 months old)
and is properly restrained and under the immediate control of the owner.
AKC appreciates that this bill will ensure the proper care and transportation
of dogs at shelters, and also that it will protect public health by requiring
this brief quarantine period to ensure the health of dogs coming into the
state. We also are grateful for the clarification that dogs coming in for
shows and competitions do not need to be quarantined, so long as they are under
proper control of their owner or handler.
What You Can Do: These bills are being considered TOMORROW (Tuesday, May 9) in
the Senate Agriculture Committee. Those who wish may contact the members. If
you are a constituent, be sure to mention that when contacting them:
Sen. Michelle Hinchey (Chair - Kingston) Sen. Pamela Helming
(Geneva)
hinchey@xxxxxxxxxxxx
helming@xxxxxxxxxxxx
Sen. Alessandra Biaggi (Bronx) Sen. Daphne
Jordan (Castleton-on-the-Hudson)
biaggi@xxxxxxxxxxxx
jordan@xxxxxxxxxxxx
Sen. George Borello (Jamestown) Sen. Rachel May
(Syracuse)
borrello@xxxxxxxxxxxx
may@xxxxxxxxxxxx
Sen. Jabari Brisport (Brooklyn) Sen. Jessica
Ramos (East Elmhurst)
brisport@xxxxxxxxxxxx
ramos@xxxxxxxxxxxx
Sen. Leroy Comrie (St. Albans)
comrie@xxxxxxxxxxxx
• Assembly Agriculture – Bills regarding dogs outdoors, harming wildlife
Status: Hearing TOMORROW (Tuesday, May 10)
Summaries: Three bills being monitored by AKC are being considered tomorrow:
• A. 456 – This bill creates the crime of aggravated cruelty
for the intentional harm of wildlife. It does contain an exemption for hunting
and similar activities, as well as accepted agriculture practices. At this
time, AKC is monitoring to ensure these exemptions remain.
• A. 4793 – This bill clarifies and elevates the crime of
animal abandonment. It arises from an incident in the sponsor’s district where
a dog was left chained to a park bench in subzero temperatures and died from
injuries. AKC agrees with current law in New York that does not allow dogs to
be left outside in dangerous conditions, and that no dog should be abandoned
without proper care or protection.
• A. 6912 – Current law outlines what is considered proper
shelter for dogs “left outdoors”. This bill clarifies that the primary shelter
should be constructed in such a way to promote the retention of body heat. In
addition, the front entrance must have a windbreak from November-March. The
sponsor has expressed concerns about protection for dogs in outdoor shelters in
the winter, and also the potential harm from chemicals and other methods use to
remove snow and ice. AKC is currently monitoring this bill.
What You Can Do: These bills are being considered TOMORROW (Tuesday, May 9) in
the Assembly Agriculture Committee. Those who wish may contact the members.
If you are a constituent, be sure to mention that when contacting them:
Donna A. Lupardo, Chair (Binghamton) Anna Kelles (Ithaca)
lupardod@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
kellesa@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Didi Barrett (Poughkeepsie) Brian D.
Miller (New Hartford, Wallkill)
barrettd@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
millerb@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Ken Blankenbush (Carthage) Jose Rivera
(Bronx)
blankenbushk@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
RiveraJ@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Marianne Buttenschon (Utica) Linda Rosenthal
(Manhattan)
buttenschonm@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx rosentl@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Catalina Cruz (Queens) Angelo
Santabarbara (Schenectady)
cruzc@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
santabarbaraa@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Brian Cunningham (Brooklyn) Amanda Septimo
(South Bronx)
cunninghamba@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
septimoa@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Erik Dilan (Brooklyn) Al
Stirpe (North Syracuse)
DilanE@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
stirpea@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Michael J. Fitzpatrick (Smithton) Chris Tague
(Schoharie)
FitzpatrickM@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
taguec@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Christopher S. Friend (Chemung County) Jaime R. Williams
(Brooklyn)
friendc@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
williamsja@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Aileen M. Gunther (Monticello/Middletown) Carrie Woerner (Saratoga Springs)
GuntheA@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
woernerc@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Stephen Hawley (Albion) Stefani
Zinerman (Brooklyn)
HawleyS@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
zinermans@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Billy Jones (Plattsburgh)
jonesb@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
AKC Government Relations continues to monitor all bills with the potential to
impact dog owners in New York State and will provide updates as they are
available. For more information, contact AKC GR at doglaw@xxxxxxx.
Stormy Hope
NAIATrust, Trustee
NAIATrust-CA on Facebook!
GSDCA Legislative Liaison to AKC
California Responsible Pet Owners
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