Assemblywoman Sandy Galef has introduced A. 11242, a bill to prohibit ear cropping and tail docking. It is imperative that New York fanciers and concerned dog owners contact their representatives immediately to oppose this legislation.
A person found guilty of tail docking would be guilty of a misdemeanor and could be sentenced up to one year in jail and/or fined up to $500. Ear cropping would be a misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail and/or a fine of up to $1000.
In order to show or compete in any event, including conformation, field trials, performance events and companion events, an owner will have to prove that the dog’s tail was docked prior to September 1, 2006 or the surgery was performed in another state.
Finally, the bill sets up a private right of action that would allow any dog owner or animal rights organization to sue a person who violates this section. Therefore an animal rights group could sue a breeder, owner or veterinarian under this proposal.
A. 11242 has been assigned to the Assembly Agriculture Committee, but a hearing date has not been announced. AKC will be posting new information as it becomes available. Please watch our web site for additional updates. To read the bill in its entirety please click here.
Points to Consider:
- When appropriate veterinary care is provided, ear cropping and tail docking are safe, acceptable practices.
- Owners, in close consultation with their veterinarians, should make informed decisions about their pets’ health care—not the government.
- Once legislators determine they can ban certain elective procedures, they may be just a short step away from removing veterinarians’ and owners’ rights to make informed decisions about animal care and treatment.
What You Can Do:
- Fanciers should immediately contact their own Assemblymember and ask him or her to oppose A. 11242. To find out who represents you in the New York State Assembly, click here: http://assembly.state.ny.us/mem/. It is critical that legislators hear from their own constituents!
- Purebred dog owners should also contact their veterinarians and urge them not to support A. 11242. Point out that veterinarians should be concerned about allowing the government and public opinion too much control over their practices.
- Share this information with other fanciers and dog clubs. We need everyone’s help!
- Your voice is especially important if your representative sits on the Assembly Agriculture Committee.
Committee Chair Assemblyman William Magee
LOB 828
Albany, NY 12248
518-455-4807
mageew@assembly.state.ny.us
Assemblyman Marc S. Alessi
LOB 326
Albany, NY 12248
518-455-5294
alessim@assembly.state.ny.us
Assemblyman Darrel J. Aubertine
LOB 602
Albany, NY 12248
518-455-5545
aubertd@assembly.state.ny.us
Assemblyman Michael Benedetto
LOB 919
Albany, NY 12248
518-455-5296
benedem@assembly.state.ny.us
Assemblyman Marc W. Butler
LOB 318
Albany, NY 12248
518-455-5393
butlerm@assembly.state.ny.us
Assemblywoman Adele Cohen
LOB 435
Albany, NY 12248
518-455-4811
cohena@assembly.state.ny.us
Assemblyman Clifford W. Crouch
LOB 450
Albany, NY 12248
518-455-5741
crouchc@assembly.state.ny.us
Assemblyman Steven Cymbrowitz
LOB 538
Albany, NY 12248
518-455-5214
cymbros@assembly.state.ny.us
Assemblywoman Francine DelMonte
LOB 553
Albany, NY 12248
518-455-5284
delmonf@assembly.state.ny.us
Assemblywoman RoAnn M. Destito
LOB 621
Albany, NY 12248
518-455-5454
destitr@assembly.state.ny.us
Assemblyman Gary D. Finch
LOB 718
Albany, NY 12248
518-455-5878
finchg@assembly.state.ny.us
Assemblywoman Aileen M. Gunther
LOB 428
Albany, NY 12248
518-455-5355
GuntheA@assembly.state.ny.us
Assemblyman Stephen Hawley
Room 433 LOB
Albany, NY 12248
518-455-5811
Assemblywoman Barbara Lifton
LOB 555
Albany, NY 12248
518-455-5444
liftonb@assembly.state.ny.us
Assemblyman Alan Maisel
528 LOB
Albany, NY 12248
518-455-5211
maisela@assembly.state.ny.us
Assemblywoman Margaret M. Markey
LOB 654
Albany, NY 12248
518-455-4755
markeym@assembly.state.ny.us
Assemblyman Roy McDonald
LOB 426
Albany, NY 12248
518-455-5404
mcdonar@assembly.state.ny.us
Assemblyman John J. McEneny
LOB 648
Albany, NY 12248
518-455-4178
mcenenj@assembly.state.ny.us
Assemblyman Bob Reilly
LOB 430
Albany, NY 12248
518-455-5931
reillyr@assembly.state.ny.us
Assemblyman Peter M. Rivera
LOB 826
Albany, NY 12248
518-455-5102
riverap@assembly.state.ny.us
Assemblywoman Linda Rosenthal
821 LOB
Albany, NY 12248
518-455-5802
RosentL@assembly.state.ny.us
Assemblyman Paul D. Tonko
LOB 713
Albany, NY 12248
518-455-5197
EMAIL ADDRESS
tonkop@assembly.state.ny.us
Assemblywoman Sandy Galef has introduced A. 11242, a bill to prohibit ear cropping and tail…