Yesterday, the New York Assembly Agriculture Committee considered two bills relating to the tethering of dogs outdoors. While one did pass committee, another was held, and AKC thanks the many dog owners who responded to our alert and expressed your concerns with the bills.
As a result of these efforts, Assembly Bill 6145, which mandated continuous access to shelter if a dog is outside more than 30 minutes (among other provisions), was held in committee. Assembly Bill 165, which regulates the tethering of dogs outside for more than 4 hours, is advancing, and dog owners and those who participate outdoor performance events and training are encouraged to contact the Assembly Codes Committee (Scroll down for more information):
Summary of Assembly Bill 165:
Assembly Bill 165 defines the “inhumane tethering” of dogs. It clarifies that tethering does not include walking a dog on a leash or “circumstances where a dog is otherwise accompanied by a person who has custody or control of the dog.”
Under this bill, a dog may not be tethered for more than 4 consecutive hours or 6 total hours in a day. It also states that dogs may not be tethered in “dangerous weather conditions”, defined in part as any weather condition that poses a health or safety risk to the dog. AKC supports this provision. However, it further defines “extreme heat or cold” as 80 degrees Fahrenheit and 35 degrees Fahrenheit. AKC is unclear how this will be enforced for dogs who can tolerate temperatures outside this range, or dogs that require more moderate temperatures.
In addition, the bill would not allow tethering between 10pm and 6am, and AKC is unclear how this would impact events such as night hunts and similar activities.
Livestock guardian dogs, police dogs and service dogs are exempt from the provisions of this bill.
Talking Points:
The American Kennel Club (AKC) strongly supports current New York law, which does not allow dogs to be tethered in any condition where health and safety are at risk. In addition, there are many provisions in these bills that are reasonable (ensuring dogs can reach potable water and share, and that the tether is not so tight as to injure the dog). However, the specific temperatures and time restraints in these bills do not take into account the different breeds of dogs, or the purposes for which they may be kept.
Consider the following resources for talking points when contacting the committee:
- Dogs Outdoors/Tethering Key Issue Page in the AKC Legislative Action Center
- AKC Responsible Policy Video – Arbitrary Temperature Requirements Can Harm Dogs
- AKC Handout: Keeping Dogs Safe in Inclement Weather
Contact the Assembly Codes Committee:
If you are a constituent, be sure to mention that when contacting them:
Jeffrey Dinowitz, Chair (Dist. 81 – Bronx)
DinowitzJ@nyassembly.gov
George Alvarez (Dist. 78 – Bronx)
alvarezg@nyassembly.gov
Joe Angelino (Dist. 121 – Binghamton)
angelinoj@nyassembly.gov
Alex Bores (Dist. 73 – Manhattan)
boresa@nyassembly.gov
Vivian E. Cook (Dist. 32 – Jamaica)
CookV@nyassembly.gov
Catalina Cruz (Dist. 39 – Corona)
cruzc@nyassembly.gov
Brian Cunningham (Dist. 43- Brooklyn)
Andrew Hevesi (Dist. 28 – Forest Hills)
Online Form
Charles D. Lavine (Dist. 13 – Glen Cove)
Online Form
John K. Mikulin (Dist. 17 – Massapequa)
mikulinj@nyassembly.gov
Andrew M. Molitor (Dist. 150 – Jamestown)
molitora@nyassembly.gov
Angelo J. Morinello (Dist. 145 – Niagara Falls)
morinelloa@nyassembly.gov
Michael Reilly (Dist. 62 – Staten Island)
reillym@nyassembly.gov
Karines Reyes (Dist. 87 – Bronx)
reyesk@nyassembly.gov
Gabriella A. Romero (Dist. 109 – Albany)
romerog@nyassembly.gov
Linda B. Rosenthal, Sponsor, A. 165 (Dist. 67 – Manhattan)
Rebecca A. Seawright (Dist. 76 – Manhattan)
SeawrightR@nyassembly.gov
Michael Tannousis (Dist. 64 – Brooklyn/Staten Island)
tannousism@nyassembly.gov
Al Taylor (Dist. 71 – Harlem/Washington Heights)
taylora@nyassembly.gov
Clyde Vanel (Dist. 33- Queens Village)
vanelc@nyassembly.gov
Latrice M. Walker (Dist. 55 – Brooklyn)
WalkerL@nyassembly.gov
David I Weprin (Dist. 24 – Fresh Meadows/Richmond Hill)
WeprinD@nyassembly.gov
AKC Government Relations and the Associated Dog Clubs of New York State continue to closely monitor legislation impacting dog owners. For questions or more information, contact AKC GR at doglaw@akc.org.