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History
- 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.
Requires the informed consent of the owner of a companion animal prior to euthanizing such animal
In Assembly Committee · Agriculture · Sponsor Steven Englebright
Full text
The text isn't available here yet. Check nysenate.gov.
Sponsor's memo
BILL NUMBER:S6218
Title of bill
An act to amend the agriculture and markets law, in relation to informed consent of owners for euthanasia of a pet
Purpose or general idea of the bill
This bill would require Owner informed consent prior to euthanasia of a companion animal.
Summary of provisions
Adds a new section 353-f to the agriculture and markets law regarding informed consent of owners for euthanasia of a pet. The new section includes the following provisions:
1) Veterinarian administering euthanasia procedure shall explain to companion animal owner in truthful and easy to understand manner: a. various methods of humane euthanasia b. benefits and risks of each method c. negative impacts on the animal of each method; and d. fully answer any questions the companion animal owner has with regard to euthanasia of the owner's pet
2) Prohibits euthanasia by means of intracardiac injection unless the animal is heavily sedated, anesthetized or comatose. However, allows for intracardiac injection on animals that are not heavily sedated, anesthetized or comatose only when intracardiac injection is the most humane option available.
3) Allows owners of a companion animal that is euthanized to remain with pet during entirety of euthanasia procedure.
4) Requires both the veterinarian and companion animal owner to sign a form acknowledging the provisions of the law have been fully complied with.
Justification
The loss of a beloved companion animal can be a traumatic experience for pet owners, particularly when circumstances force the pet owner to have a veterinarian.euthanize the animal. Full knowledge of the various humane euthanasia methods, effects of each euthanasia procedure on a companion animal, as well as having an opportunity to ask questions and receive answers from the veterinarian performing the procedure can help the owner get through-the traumatic experience.
The American Veterinarian Medical Association (AVMA) provides guidelines for the euthanasia of animals. In situations of euthanasia for companion animals the AVMA recommends that, "Owners should be fully informed about the process they are about to observe including the potential for excitation during anesthesia and other possible complications" (AVMA Guidelines for Euthanasia of Animals: 2013 Edition). However, since these are only guidelines, veterinarians are not required by law to follow them in order to ensure companion animal owners are fully informed about the euthanasia procedure.
Legislative history
New legislation
Fiscal implications
None
Effective date
This act shall take effect on the first of January next succeeding the date on which it shall have become a law, with provisions.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.