Requires the micro-chipping of all dogs, excluding temporarily kept dogs; and creates a state registry to maintain contact information

BILL NUMBER:S62 REVISED 12/30/11

Title of bill

An act to amend the agriculture and markets law, in relation to the microchipping of dogs and the creation of a registry of dogs

Purpose or general idea of bill

Requires that by the age of four months any person who owns a dog shall implant such dog with a microchip. Creates a state registry to maintain contact information.

Summary of specific provisions

Section 1 amends the Agriculture and Markets Law to require information that contains specific identifiable features to be transmitted to the registry on dogs.

Section 2 adds two new sections 112-a and 112-b to the Agriculture and Markets law. Requires dog owners, by the time such dog is four months of age, to implant a microchip that includes the owner's contact information and the dog's medical history. Requires the Commissioner of Agriculture and Markets to establish a state registry of all animals licensed pursuant to this article. Provides that such registry shall be available twenty-four hours a day.

Section 3 Provides that it shall be a violation for any owner or custodian of a dog who fails to implant a microchip in such dog.

Justification

Micro-chipping is a relatively inexpensive and harmless procedure that would provide a safety net for dog owners in case of loss or theft of dog. At the time of mandatory licensing, the dog's information and micro-chip number will be added to a newly created registry which will be available twenty-four hours a day.

Prior legislative history

2011: S.62 - Defeated in Agriculture/A.2882 - Referred to Agriculture 2010: S.2211 - Referred to Agriculture/A.11070 - Referred to Agriculture 2009: S.2211 - Referred to Agriculture/A.255 - Enacting Clause Stricken/A.11070 - Referred to Agriculture 2007-08: A.1677 - Referred to Agriculture 2006: A.9775 Held for Consideration in Agriculture

Fiscal implications

To be determined.

Effective date

This act shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth day after it shall have become a law; provided, however, that if Part T of Chapter 59 of the Laws of2010 has not taken effect as of such date then sections 1 and 3 of this act shall take effect on the same date and in the same manner as such Chapter takes effect; provided however, that effective immediately, the addition, amendment and/or repeal of any rule or regulation necessary for the implementation of this act on its effective date are authorized and directed to be made and completed on or before such effective date.