Animal Advocacy Update

Thanks for taking the time to write about issues concerning animal rights. Over the course of the legislative session, I received over 100 letters from animal rights advocates on a variety of bills. This was a successful session for advocates; we were able to pass a number of bills which will go a long way in protecting animals. There were also measures that we must continue to work on next year. I thought you might be interested in hearing about what happened to all of these issues, including the one you wrote about. Bills that passed both the Assembly and Senate: A740, would allow local municipalities to regulate pet dealers and breeders, so long as the regulations are not less stringent than the states. A1657e, would provide for a training program for municipal dog control officers. The training program is required to include information on humane handling, licensure laws, identification of owners and proper disposal. A1769B, would prohibit the sale, possession and trade of shark fins. The bill was approved unanimously by both the Senate and Assembly. Bills that passed only the Assembly or Senate: A2490, would allow for the trapping, netting, poling, and catching of snapping turtles. The bill passed the Senate on June 13th, however the bill did not make it out of the Codes Committee in the Assembly. A3952, Would stop insurance companies from denying homeowner insurance based on the homeowners breed of dog. I voted in favor of the bill when it passed the Assembly on June 11th. Unfortunately, the bill was not able to move out of the Senate Insurance committee. Bills that did not pass the Assembly or Senate: A775a, The consolidated animal crimes bill, would clarify, modernize and restructure the states animal crimes laws. The legislation stalled in the Agriculture Committees in both the Assembly and Senate. As a sponsor, I will continue to advocate its passage next year. A2054, The Companion Access and Rescue Act, establishes standards for care of stray, abandoned or seized animals. The measure stalled in the Assembly Agriculture Committee. Unfortunately, the bill has no sponsor in the Senate. You can be sure as a sponsor of the bill I will continue to work for its passage. A3905, Would prohibit the slaughter of horses. The bill was unable to move out of the Senate and Assembly Agriculture Committees. As a sponsor of the bill, it is my hope that the bill will gain the required support in the committee to allow a full vote next year.

A238, would cover companion animals and wildlife under current animal cruelty laws. The bill did not make it out of the Senate Agriculture Committee, or the Assembly Codes Committee. I am a sponsor and will continue to support its passage next year. I also received numerous letters about the creation of an animal abuse registry. There are a number of bills in the Assembly which would create such a registry. Unfortunately none of those bills moved out of their committees. Based on the amount of emails I received it is clear that there is a movement toward setting up a registry, hopefully the differences in the current bills will be rectified so a unified effort can begin. Your outreach has made it clear that New York has a strong group of advocates for the rights of all kinds of animals. I will continue to do what I can to ensure that your voice is heard in the Assembly. If you would like additional info on any of the above legislation, please do not hesitate to contact my office. Sincerely, Donna A. Lupardo Member of Assembly