Bill Numbers and Sponsors

Title

LOHV- NY Position

 DeFrancisco S5017

 McEneny A2421

 Strengthens Buster’s Law

full description

The League of Humane Voters of New York fully supports the intent of the bill which provides that a felony offense for aggravated cruelty to  domestic animals be extended to apply to all animals.

In anticipation of concerns usually expressed by agricultural operations and 'outdoor sportsmen' LOHV suggests the following amendment be added so the bill can be favorably reported out of the Agriculture committees:

Nothing contained in this section shall be construed to prohibit or interfere in any way with anyone lawfully engaged in hunting, trapping, or fishing, as defined by the NYS environmental conservation law; or with the routine management of a NYS farming operation in; or the dispatch of rabid or diseased animals or animals posing an imminent threat to human safety.

 Zeldin S6167
Zebrowski A3431

Prohibit Devocalization

full description

The League of Humane Voters of New York fully supports the intent of the bill which provides that devocalization of cats or dogs be prohibited except when necessary to treat or relieve physical conditions causing the animal medical harm. There are two amendments to the original Assembly bill (now A3431B)--

1.  it removes the requirement for filing a special form when such a procedure is performed consistent with the provisions of the bill.

2.  it removes the requirement that a person or business selling a devocalized animal must inform the purchaser that the animal is devocalized

The League of Humane Voters views those two amendments as weakening the original bill, but since the core objective of the bill is left intact the League of Humane Voters continues to support the bill as amended.

The Senate bill has not yet been amended to reflect the current Assembly bill, however we have been informed that it shortly will be. Moreover, we have been informed that the Senate sponsor is currently weighing additional amendments. The League of Humane Voters of New York will assess those additional amendments when their content becomes known.

In general, The League of Humane Voters of New York will continue to support the bill as long the core principal:

devocalization of cats or dogs be prohibited except when necessary to when necessary to treat or relieve physical conditions causing the animal medical harm.

is maintained. If any amendment includes permitting devocalization for "behavioral" conditions under any circumstances, the League of Humane Voters will cease its support of the bill and, in fact, vigorously oppose it.