NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
BILL NUMBER: A3375A
SPONSOR: Glick (MS) TITLE OF BILL: An act to amend the environmental conservation law, in
relation to excluding certain animals from the definition of wildlife
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
To clarify the word 'wildlife' in the laws of New York as not to include
companion animals.
SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:
Amends Paragraph 6 (a) of section 11-0103 of the environmental conserva-
tion law.
"Wildlife" would be specified as wild game and all other animal life
existing in a wild state, except fish, shellfish and crustacea. This
bill adds companion animal to the list of animals that are not wildlife.
JUSTIFICATION:
Currently, the definition of wildlife contained in law is far too broad
and ambiguous. The elusiveness of the law has resulted in the regretta-
ble treatment of domesticated cats and dogs as 'wildlife.' Consequently,
these domesticated animals may be trapped and killed inhumanely by
nuisance wildlife control operators.
In the agriculture and markets law, cats and dogs are clearly defined as
'companion animals.' It is key that the definitions of cats and dogs are
also clarified in the environmental and conservation law in order to
protect these domesticated animals from being disposed of as 'nuisance
wildlife.' We feel that it is imperative that this disturbing practice
comes to end in order to protect some of New Yorker's favorite pets.
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2003: Referred to Rules.
2004: Referred to Environmental Conservation.
2005: A1821 Referred to Environmental Conservation.
2006: A1821 passed Assembly.
2008: A2611 Referred to Environmental Conservation.
2009-10: Referred to Environmental Conservation.
2011-2012: A3593 Referred to Environmental Conservation.
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.
