A07218 Summary:

BILL NO    A07218 

SAME AS    No same as

SPONSOR    Glick (MS)

COSPNSR    Castro, Colton, Dinowitz, Kellner, Paulin, Rosenthal

MLTSPNSR   Boyland, Gottfried, McEneny

Amd S365-a, Ag & Mkts L

Prohibits the docking of dog tails for reasons other than to protect the life
or health of the dog as deemed necessary by a duly licensed veterinarian; does
not apply to dogs that have been certified as tail docked prior to August 1,
2009.

A07218 Actions:

BILL NO    A07218 

03/26/2009 referred to agriculture
01/06/2010 referred to agriculture

A07218 Votes:

A07218 Memo:

BILL NUMBER:A7218

TITLE  OF  BILL:    An  act to amend the agriculture and markets law, in
relation to making tail docking of dogs unlawful

PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL: Prohibits the docking of dog tails  for
reasons  other  than  to protect the life or health of the dog as deemed
necessary by a duly licensed veterinarian.

SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS: Section 1. The agriculture  and  markets
law  is  amended by adding a new section 365-a:  Any person who cuts the
tail of a dog for reasons other than to protect the life  or  health  of
the  animal is guilty of a misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of not more
than five hundred dollars. Any person who shows or exhibits a dog  whose
tail has been docked or altered, at a show or other exhibition, is guil-
ty  of  a misdemeanor, punishable as above. Any dog owner who is injured
or damaged by a violation of these provisions may  institute  a  private
right  of  action  in the supreme court of this state, to obtain redress
for such injury or violation. The provisions shall not apply to any  dog
or  person  who is the owner of any dog whose tail has been certified as
docked, cut or altered prior to August 1, 2009.

JUSTIFICATION: The enactment of this bill would ensure that dogs are not
caused unnecessary risk and pain by cosmetic tail  docking.    Performed
under  anesthetic,  the  procedure  carries  within it inherent risks of
blood loss and infection, as well as causing lasting chronic tension  in
the  back  and  hindquarter  muscles  of dogs after the procedure. While
illegal in many countries, docking procedures  are  so  prevalent  today
that  dogs  of  some  breeds  are not recognizable when they are in fact
intact. This legislation would ensure that dogs are no longer  subjected
to  lasting pain as a result of docking, and also that shows and exhibi-
tions will no favor dogs whose tails have been docked.

PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY: New Bill

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS: None to the State

EFFECTIVE DATE: This act shall take effect  August  1,  2009;  provided,
however,  if  it  shall  become law after such date it shall take effect
immediately and shall be deemed to have been in full force and effect on
and after August 1, 2009.