What's happening
This bill prohibits the tail docking of cattle in New York, making it a misdemeanor offense similar to that for horses.
Why it matters
Extends animal cruelty protections. By adding cattle to a law that already protects horses, this bill recognizes the welfare concerns around tail docking and ensures cattle are given similar legal safeguards against unnecessary mutilation.
Impacts livestock management practices. Prohibiting tail docking will require farmers and ranchers to change or end this procedure, potentially affecting how they manage hygiene, herd health, and animal handling, especially in dairy operations where tail docking has been more common.
Aligns with evolving animal welfare standards. The bill reflects growing scientific consensus and industry trends that tail docking is not justified by significant health benefits and can cause pain and distress, signaling New York’s commitment to higher animal welfare standards.
Creates legal and financial consequences. Violators face misdemeanor charges, including possible jail time and fines, which increases the legal risks for individuals or businesses that continue the practice, further incentivizing compliance and raising awareness about animal welfare laws.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Ban Cattle Tail Docking
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
8 Co-sponsors
History
- Referred to agriculture
- Referred to agriculture
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
4949
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
February 6, 2017
Introduced by M. of A. ROSENTHAL, BENEDETTO, DINOWITZ, KAVANAGH, ENGLE- BRIGHT, ORTIZ, SKOUFIS, STECK, MOSLEY, RAIA -- Multi-Sponsored by -- M. of A. COLTON, CURRAN, CYMBROWITZ, GALEF, GLICK, GOTTFRIED, HEVESI, LIFTON, MONTESANO, PALMESANO, PAULIN, SALADINO, SIMON, THIELE, TITONE -- read once and referred to the Committee on Agriculture
AN ACT to amend the agriculture and markets law, in relation to prohibiting tail docking of cattle
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The section heading and subdivision 1 of section 368 of the agriculture and markets law, as added by chapter 1047 of the laws of 1965, are amended to read as follows:
Operating upon tails of horses and cattle unlawful. 1. Any person who cuts the bone, tissues, muscles or tendons of the tail of any horse, mare [or], gelding[,] or cattle, or otherwise operates upon it in any manner for the purpose or with the effect of docking, setting, or otherwise altering the natural carriage of the tail, or who knowingly permits the same to be done upon premises of which he is the owner, lessee, proprietor or user, or who assists in or is voluntarily present at such cutting, is guilty of a misdemeanor, punishable by imprisonment for not more than one year, or by a fine of not more than five hundred dollars or by both. If a horse or a cow is found with the bone, tissues, muscles or tendons of its tail cut as aforesaid and with the wound resulting therefrom unhealed, upon the premises or in the charge and custody of any person, such fact shall be prima facie evidence of a violation of this section by the owner or user of such premises or the person having such charge or custody, respectively.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD05040-01-7
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.