Requires all dogs and their owners to successfully complete obedience training

1 Co-sponsor

• John L. Sampson

BILL NUMBER:S694

Title of bill

An act to amend the agriculture and markets law, in relation to requiring all dogs and their owners to successfully complete basic obedience training

Purpose

To require all dogs and their owners to successfully complete obedience training.

Summary of provisions

Section 1. Amends the Agriculture and Markets Law, Section 107 (1). Provides that the requirements for basic obedience courses for dogs and their owners shall apply to the entire state.

Section 2. Amends the Agriculture and Markets Law, Section 109 (1) (d). Requires a certificate that documents successful completion of a basic obedience course.

Section 3. Amends the Agriculture and Markets Law by adding a new section 113-a. Provides that the Commissioner shall establish by rule or regulation requirements for basic obedience courses for dogs and their owners which must be successfully completed pursuant to this section. Such requirements shall include instruction for the owner on the principles of dog training, and instructions on and practice of obedience training by both the dog and its owner. Specifies that a certificate shall be issued upon successful completion of such training.

Section 4. Amends the Agriculture and Markets Law, Section 118 (1)(g) by adding a new paragraph (h). Allows a dog to be seized should any owner fail to complete a basic obedience course with his or her dog.

Section 5. Effective Date

Existing law

None.

Justification

The goal of this bill is: to minimize vicious dog attacks, the destruction of property and unnecessary human or canine deaths; to better acquaint dog owners with their dogs; to teach dog owners proper obedience techniques, which will help owners to have better control of their dogs; and to minimize aggressive dog behavior and negligent dog owner behavior

Prior legislative history

2012: S.61 - Referred to Agriculture 2011: S.61 - Defeated in Agriculture 2009-10: S.2219 - Referred to Agriculture

Fiscal implications

To be determined.

Effective date

This act shall take effect immediately, provided that sections two and four of this act and subdivision 3 of section 113-a of the agriculture and markets law, as added by section three of this act, shall take effect one year after this act shall have become law.