Excludes certain animals from the definition of "wildlife"

Title of bill

An act to amend the environmental conservation law, in relation to excluding certain animals from the definition of wildlife

Purpose

To clarify the word 'wildlife' in the laws of New York to exclude cats and dogs.

Summary of provisions

Amends paragraph 6(a) of section 11-0103 of the environmental conservation law.

'Wildlife' would be specified as wild game and all other animal life existing in a wild state, except fish, shellfish, and crustacea. No dog or cat, whether domesticated or feral, shall be considered wildlife pursuant to this title. A feral cat or dog shall mean any cat or dog that is born in the wild and is not socialized, is the offspring of an owned feral cat or dog and is not socialized, or is a formerly owned cat or dog that has been abandoned and is no longer socialized.

Justification

Currently, the definition of wildlife contained in law is far too broad and ambiguous. The elusiveness of the law has resulted in the regrettable treatment of domesticated cats and dogs as 'wildlife.' Consequently, these domesticated animals may be trapped and killed inhumanely by nuisance wildlife control operators.

In the agriculture and markets law, cats and dogs are clearly defined as 'companion animals.' It is key that the definitions of cats and dogs are also clarified in the environmental conservation law in order to protect these domesticated animals from being disposed of as 'nuisance wildlife.'

It is imperative that this disturbing practice come to an end in order to protect some of New Yorkers' favorite pets.

Legislative history

2003: Assembly -- Referred to Rules 2004: Assembly -- Referred to Environmental Conservation 2005: A.1821 -- Referred to Environmental Conservation 2006: A.1821 -- Passed Assembly 2008: A.2611 -- Referred to Environmental Conservation

Fiscal implications

None.

Effective date

This act shall take effect immediately.