Designates working dogs as the official state dog

Title of bill

An act to amend the state law, in relation to designating working dogs as the official state dog

Purpose

To designate working dogs as the Official State Dog of New York and define working dog for this purpose.

Summary of provisions

Section one amends section 90 of state law to designate the working dog as the official dog of the State of New York. For the purposes of this section, Working Dog is defined.

Section two establishes the effective date.

Justification

The original intent of Chapter 571 of 2015, which added Section 90 to state law, was to designate a broader definition of Working and Service Dogs as the State's official dog. Currently, the law names only "service dogs" which technically, as defined by agricultural and markets law, is a dog that is trained to perform tasks for the benefit of a person with a disability. This is but a small subset of the dogs meant to be honored as New York State's Official Dog. This chapter amendment corrects the intent of Chapter 571 of 2015 and recognizes the broader class of Working Dogs for such a designation. Working Dogs are devoted companions which provide relief, comfort, and inspiration during times of stress. As first responders to natural and man-made disasters, crime scene investigators, seeing-eye companions, therapists, public safety enforcers, and search & rescue specialists, among many other things, the working dog embodies the spirit of New York - hard working, loyal, and eager to serve.

Legislative history

This is a new bill.

Fiscal implications

None.

Effective date

This act shall take effect on the same date and in the same manner as a chapter of the laws of 2015, amending the state law relating to designating service dogs as the official state dog, as proposed in legislative bills numbers A.2756 and S.3856, takes effect.