New York state senators have been passing a package of legislation that increases animal protection and includes the banning of animal tests for cosmetics, the ban on importing some hunting trophies, and the ban on selling puppies in pet shops. Some of these bills are yet to be passed by the State’s Assembly.
These are the bills the Senate has been debating:
- Ban on manufacture and sale of animal tested cosmetics (bill S.4839B, sponsored by Sen. Alessandra Biaggi). This bill was passed on 10th May 2022 by the Senate but not yet by the Assembly.
- Clarifies aggravated cruelty to animals (bill S.960, sponsored by Sen. Liz Krueger) which eliminates the word “serious” from the “serious physical injury” language of the crime of aggravated cruelty to animals. This bill was passed on 10th May 2022 by the Senate but not yet by the Assembly (it remains in the Assembly Agriculture Committee).
- Abandoned animal property inspections (bill S.4081A, sponsored by Sen. Michelle Hinchey), will require landlords of vacated properties to inspect the property for abandoned animals. This bill was passed on 10th May 2022 by the Senate but not yet by the Assembly.
- The puppy mill sales ban (bill S.1130, sponsored by Senate Deputy Leader Michael Gianaris), prohibits the sale of dogs, cats, and rabbits by retail pet shops. This bill was passed on 10th May 2022 by the Senate but not yet by the Assembly.
- Insurance discrimination dog breed (bill S.8315A, sponsored by Sen. Gianaris), bars insurance companies from excluding, limiting, restricting, or reducing coverage on an insurance policy for homeowners based on the breed of dog they own. This bill was passed on 10th May 2022 by the Senate and its counterpart was originally passed by the Assembly.
- Veterinarian drug information (bill S.1289-B, sponsored by Sen. John Brooks), requires veterinarians to provide certain information to animal owners regarding the drugs dispensed to an animal. This bill was passed on 10th May 2022 by the Senate and its counterpart was originally passed by the Assembly.
- Big Five African Trophies Act (bill S.2814, sponsored by Sen. Luis Sepulveda), bans the importation, transportation and possession of certain African wildlife species and products (lions, leopards, elephants, black and white rhinos, and giraffes). This bill was passed on 10th May 2022 by the Senate but not yet in the Assembly (it has sat in the Assembly Environmental Conservation Committee since 6th January).
Andrea Stewart-Cousins, Senate Majority Leader, said, “As Senate majority leader, I have emphasized the importance of animal welfare and how it reflects who we are as a society. This comprehensive package is necessary to combat the mistreatment, neglect and abuse of domestic animals. These bills also promote the proper care and consideration that ‘animals deserve. I commend the bill sponsors, and we will continue to pass common-sense legislation to keep our animal friends out of harm’s way.”
