The New York Senate has passed a ban on “debarking” – a recognized veterinary practice also known as bark softening. Senate Bill 142 would prohibit veterinarians from performing this procedure unless it is medically necessary to treat an injury, illness, or congenital defect.
Senate Bill 142 has now been referred to the Assembly Agriculture Committee but has not been scheduled for a hearing. In previous years, the bill has been held in this committee. It is crucial that the Chairwoman and the committee hear from New York dog owners concerned about this proposal legislation, and that they be asked not to advance this bill. (Scroll down for contact information).
AKC opposes Senate Bill 142, 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 noisy but beloved pets to shelters.
View AKC’s previous alert, as well as the key issues page in AKC’s Legislative Action Center for talking points and more information on this issue.
How to Contact the Assembly Agriculture Committee:
Use the below information to contact the committee. If you are a constituent, be sure to mention that when contacting them:
Donna Lupardo (Chair – Binghamton)
lupardod@nyassembly.gov
Didi Barrett (Hudson)
barrettd@nyassembly.gov
Ken Blankenbush (Carthage)
blankenbushk@nyassembly.gov
Marianne Buttenschon (Utica)
buttenschonm@nyassembly.gov
Catalina Cruz (Queens)
cruzc@nyassembly.gov
Brian Cunningham (Brooklyn)
cunninghamb@nyassembly.gov
Michael Fitzpatrick (Smithtown)
FitzpatrickM@nyassembly.gov
Christopher Friend (Big Flats)
friendc@nyassembly.gov
Aileen Gunther (Monticello)
GuntheA@nyassembly.gov
Stephen Hawley (Albion)
HawleyS@nyassembly.gov
Billy Jones (Plattsburgh)
JonesB@nyassembly.gov
Dr. Anna Kelles (Ithaca)
kellesa@nyassembly.gov
John Lemondes (Auburn)
lemondesj@nyassembly.gov
Brian Miller (New Hartford)
MillerB@nyassembly.gov
Steven Raga (Queens)
ragas@nyassembly.gov
Linda Rosenthal (Manhattan)
RosentL@nyassembly.gov
Amanda Septimo (Bronx)
septimoa@nyassembly.gov
Al Stirpe (North Syracuse)
StirpeA@nyassembly.gov
Chris Tague (Schoharie)
taguec@nyassembly.gov
Jaime Williams (Brooklyn)
williamsja@nyassembly.gov
Carrie Woerner (Saratoga Springs)
woernerc@nyassembly.gov
Stefani Zinerman (Brooklyn)
zinermans@nyassembly.gov
AKC Government Relations (AKC GR) will continue to closely monitor all legislation impacting New York dog owners and provide updates as they become available. For questions or more information, contact AKC GR at doglaw@akc.org.