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History
- Referred to rules
Full text
The text isn't available here yet. Check nysenate.gov.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the agriculture and markets law, in relation to requiring the commissioner of agriculture and markets to establish licensing and educational standards for individuals providing canine training for non-service and non-police dogs
Purpose
To license individuals and corporate entities who provide training to domestic companion dogs in New York State.
Summary of provisions
The agriculture and markets law is amended by adding a new section 113-a as described in the bill.
Justification
New York currently has no provisions in law to require the licensing and regulation of businesses that provide dog obedience training. This leaves pet owners, as consumers of these services, with little or no information about the legitimacy of any person or entity that chooses to call themselves a dog training expert.
In December of 2016, an Oceanside, New York dog training facility was the focus of an investigation after several claims of animal abuse. An employee of the facility was videotaped repeatedly poking a stick at a caged dog. Other reports of dogs, including young puppies, being wounded, beaten and mistreated at the same "school" are also being investigated. The owner of the school, in a written communication to a local newspaper, defended his actions by asking "Why is it abuse to hit a dog?"
In the absence of any professional standards, unscrupulous individuals can mislead unsuspecting dog owners, resulting in a lack of any real training, or worse, permanent damage and/or abuse of the animal. This bill will ensure that streamlined, consistent licensing practices are put into place, while denying licensing to anyone previously convicted of abusing an animal.
In addition to police officers, constables and peace officers, the bill also allows for enforcement by professionals who specialize in detecting animal abuse, including animal control officers, and officers and agents of an incorporated society for the prevention of cruelty to animals (SPCA).
Legislative history
New bill
Fiscal implications
To be determined.
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.