What's happening
Writing a plain-English summary… Track this bill to get it by email.
Why it matters
Albany, before your first meeting.
Every bill that moved yesterday, summarized in a sentence and ranked by impact. The Albany Scorecard follows on Sundays.
Free. Unsubscribe in one click. Want alerts on specific bills? Create an account.
Who cares
Headline styles
Sponsors
History
- Referred to agriculture
- Referred to agriculture
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Restricts the performance of surgical devocalization procedures on dogs and cats
In Senate Committee · Agriculture · Sponsor Kenneth Zebrowski
Full text
The text isn't available here yet. Check nysenate.gov.
Sponsor's memo
BILL NUMBER:S2271
Title of bill
An act to amend the agriculture and markets law, in relation to restricting the performance of surgical devocalization procedures on dogs and cats
Purpose
This bill will prohibit the devocalization of dogs and cats unless there is a medical condition that requires the procedure.
Summary of specific provisions
Section one of the bill creates section 365-a in the agriculture and.markets law that prohibits the devocalization of cats and dogs unless medically necessary.
Subsection two of the bill relates to circumstances where devocalization surgery is allowed including treatment or relief from an illness, disease or injury.
Subsection three of the bill relates to the record keeping regarding the procedure with the municipality's clerk.
Subsection four of this bill relates to prohibiting the sale of a dog or cat that has been surgically devocalized unless the buyer receives a written notice of the surgery.
Subsection five of this bill relates to the definition of devocalization.
Subsection six of this bill relates to the penalties associated with the violation of section 365-a.
Section 2 of the bill allows the commissioner of agriculture and markets and the commissioner of education to promulgate rules and regulations to enforce this section.
Justification
The devocalization of animals is an invasive procedure that involves the surgical removal of a dog or cat's vocal cords. This procedure often leads to serious and long term respiratory and throat ailments. It silences the dog or cat and prevents communication between other animals and their owners.
This bill will outlaw "convenience" devocalization and restrict the invasive surgery fox cases where it is medically necessary to treat or relieve an illness or injury.
Prior legislative history
S. 6167C of 2012
Fiscal implications
None.
Effective date
This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall become law.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.