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A07978 Summary:

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A07978 Floor Votes:

A07978 Text:

 
                STATE OF NEW YORK
        ________________________________________________________________________
 
                                         7978--C
                                                                Cal. No. 544
 
                               2009-2010 Regular Sessions
 
                   IN ASSEMBLY
 
                                       May 1, 2009
                                       ___________
 
        Introduced  by M. of A. HOYT, BARRON, COOK, MAYERSOHN -- Multi-Sponsored
          by -- M. of A.  BRENNAN, JEFFRIES, PHEFFER, SCHIMEL -- read  once  and
          referred to the Committee on Agriculture -- committee discharged, bill
          amended,  ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted to said commit-

          tee -- reported and referred to the Committee on  Ways  and  Means  --
          committee  discharged,  bill amended, ordered reprinted as amended and
          recommitted to said committee -- reported from committee, advanced  to
          a third reading, amended and ordered reprinted, retaining its place on
          the order of third reading
 
        AN  ACT  to amend the agriculture and markets law, in relation to train-
          ing, examination and certification of dog control officers
 
          The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and  Assem-
        bly, do enact as follows:
 
     1    Section  1. The agriculture and markets law is amended by adding a new
     2  section 114-a to read as follows:
     3    § 114-a. Training and certification of dog control officers. 1.    The
     4  department  shall  develop  a  training,  examination  and certification

     5  program for dog control officers, police officers and peace officers who
     6  deal with animal control or animal abuse issues.
     7    2. (a) Except as is provided in paragraph (b) of this subdivision, any
     8  person appointed as a dog control officer shall, before  appointment  or
     9  within  one  year  thereafter, complete a course of training approved by
    10  the department and shall take and  pass  an  examination  given  by  the
    11  department. Any person currently employed as a dog control officer shall
    12  complete  the  training  and take and pass the examination no later than
    13  December first, two thousand  eleven.  The  training  and  certification
    14  shall  be  available  to,  but not required for police officers or peace

    15  officers who deal with animal control or animal abuse issues.
    16    (b) A veterinarian licensed pursuant to article  one  hundred  thirty-
    17  five  of the education law shall be exempt from the training required by
    18  subdivision one of this section.
 
         EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                              [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                                   LBD11351-06-0
        A. 7978--C                          2
 
     1    3. The training program required by this section shall include  train-
     2  ing regarding:
     3    (a) the scope of the responsibilities of the dog control officer;
     4    (b) appropriate and humane handling of animals, including transporting

     5  animals  safely, general animal control and proper methods for capturing
     6  animals;
     7    (c) the laws  and  rules  regarding  dog  licensing,  and  search  and
     8  seizure;
     9    (d) crisis intervention and officer safety;
    10    (e) identification of resources to house animals while a criminal case
    11  is resolved;
    12    (f) report writing and courtroom testimony;
    13    (g) disposal of the remains of deceased animals;
    14    (h) identification and notification of an animal's owner; and
    15    (i) other relevant provisions of this chapter.
    16    4.  The  governing body of a political subdivision that appoints a dog
    17  control officer who fails to obtain certification  within  the  required
    18  time shall terminate the appointment.

    19    5.  The department shall: (a) determine the format of the training and
    20  certification examinations, including an internet-based  format  if  the
    21  department deems such to be appropriate;
    22    (b) establish the schedule for offering training and examinations;
    23    (c)  establish  such fees as the department deems necessary for train-
    24  ing, admission to the examination, re-examination and certification; and
    25    (d) promulgate rules, regulations and standards regarding the applica-
    26  tion of the training and certification toward recertification or contin-
    27  uing education requirements.
    28    § 2. This act shall take effect July 1, 2011, provided that, effective
    29  immediately, the addition, amendment and/or repeal of any rule or  regu-

    30  lation  necessary  for  the  implementation of this act on its effective
    31  date are authorized and directed to be made and completed on  or  before
    32  such effective date.