The New York General Assembly is heading into what is likely the last week of session for the year. While most bills impacting dog owners are no longer moving this year, bills that would essentially ban the veterinary practice of bark softening (“debarking”) and significantly restrict pet choice and breed rescue are still moving.
New York residents are strongly encouraged to contact their State Senator and State Assemblymember TODAY regarding these bills:
Senate Bills 1125 and 9445 – “Debarking” Ban – Call Your State Senator!
As reported in a previous alert, Senate Bill 1125 was pulled last week from the Senate Agriculture Committee and brought before the Senate for a full vote. The vote has not yet been scheduled.
Over the past weekend, a new bill was introduced (Senate Bill 9445) with essentially the same language and again assigned to the Senate Agriculture Committee.
The AKC opposes these bills, which would restrict the rights of responsible dog owners to make viable, safe decisions on behalf of their pets in conjunction with their veterinarians. It also could force some owners to relinquish their dogs to shelters as opposed to keeping them in their home. Read AKC’s previous alert for more talking points and information on this bill.
What You Can Do: Call Your State Senator TODAY. Let them know you are constituent and oppose Senate Bills 1125 and 9445. Use the “Find Your Senator” tool on the New York Senate website to find the name and contact information for your State Senator.
Assembly Bill 4283 – Pet Choice, Breed Rescue Restrictions – Call You State Assemblyperson!
This bill will prohibit retail pet stores from selling any dogs or cats. Instead, these stores would only be allowed to “showcase” animals available for adoption from a shelter, rescue, or adoption agency that has no affiliation with breeders.
All who breed and sell dogs should be concerned with this bill, even if you do not personally source dogs to pet stores. The implication is that should Assembly Bill 4283 pass, the state is declaring that the best – and only – place to get a dog is from a shelter/ rescue shelter – and not a rescue that is in any way affiliated with breeders.
It would also eliminate the state’s excellent consumer protection laws, as shelters and rescues cannot provide the guarantees necessary for consumer protection. Additionally, it would limit the ability of future pet owners to obtain the type or breed of dog they wish. Read AKC’s previous alert for more talking points and information.
What You Can Do:
Contact the following Assembly Members TODAY and let them know you OPPOSE Assembly Bill 4283.
Speaker Carl Heastie – speaker@nyassembly.gov
Majority Leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes – PeopleC@nyassembly.gov
Your State Assemblymember – Use the Member Search tool on the State Assembly website to find the name and contact information for your Assemblymember. Be sure to mention you are a constituent when contacting their office.
AKC Government Relations will continue to closely monitor bills and provide updates as they are available. For more information, contact AKC GR at doglaw@akc.org.