What's happening
This bill establishes regulations for owning pygmy pigs in New York City, including licensing, vaccination, and care requirements.
Why it matters
Sets strict ownership limits and requirements. By allowing only one pygmy pig per dwelling and mandating spaying/neutering and vaccinations, the bill aims to prevent overpopulation, reduce nuisance or neglect issues, and limit potential health risks associated with pet pigs.
Requires licensing and proof of responsible ownership. Owners must obtain a license from the city, provide veterinary proof of sterilization and vaccination, and comply with any future vaccination requirements. This ensures a record of ownership and helps authorities track and manage public health concerns related to these animals.
Establishes clear penalties and enforcement. The bill introduces fines ($250–$500) for violations, and places enforcement with the city’s administrative tribunal, signaling that infractions will be dealt with formally and may deter irresponsible ownership.
Clarifies limits for renters and co-op residents. The law specifically does not override pet bans in leases or homeowner association agreements, which protects landlords' and associations' rights and prevents conflicts between pet owners and property managers.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Regulate Pygmy Pig Ownership
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to cities
- Referred to cities
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
1489
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 9, 2017
Introduced by Sen. AVELLA -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Cities
AN ACT to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to establishing the "pygmy pig regulation law"
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Chapter 3 of title 17 of the administrative code of the city of New York is amended by adding a new subchapter 10 to read as follows:
SUBCHAPTER 10
PYGMY PIG REGULATION LAW Section 17-385 Short title.
17-386 Definition.
17-387 Custody, care or control of pygmy pig; residential zone.
17-388 License.
17-389 Additional vaccinations.
17-390 Due care.
17-391 Control of animals affected with rabies.
17-392 Violations.
17-393 Rules and regulations.
17-394 Applicability.
§ 17-385 Short title. This subchapter shall be known and may be cited as the "pygmy pig regulation law".
§ 17-386 Definition. Whenever used in this subchapter, the following term shall have the following meaning: "pygmy pig" means a pig or hog classified as Sus scrofa jubatus Muller, or Sus scrofa (cristatus) vittatus, and commonly referred to as a Vietnamese pot-bellied pig, pygmy pig or mini-pig, which stands no higher than 22 inches at the shoulder and weighs no more than 200 pounds.
§ 17-387 Custody, care or control of pygmy pig; residential zone. Not more than one pygmy pig shall be permitted per dwelling for any person
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD00750-01-7
S. 1489 2
owning or having the custody, care or control of any pygmy pig in any residential zone.
§ 17-388 License. A person owning or having the custody, care or control of a pygmy pig shall first pay a fee and obtain an animal license from the department pursuant to chapter one hundred fifteen of the laws of eighteen hundred ninety-four, as amended. No such license shall be issued unless the person keeping or maintaining a pygmy pig in a residential area as a pet or for personal use has submitted: (1) the proof from a licensed veterinarian that the pig has been neutered or spayed; and (2) has been vaccinated against pseudo rabies. Boars, or male pygmy pigs, are to be neutered prior to nine weeks. Gilts, or female pygmy pigs, are to be spayed prior to six months.
§ 17-389 Additional vaccinations. The commissioner may promulgate rules and regulations to require additional vaccinations for pygmy pigs.
§ 17-390 Due care. Every person owning or having charge, care, custody or control of any pygmy pig shall exercise due care to prevent the pig from being stray or roaming on any highway, street, and any other public place.
§ 17-391 Control of animals affected with rabies. a. In accordance with New York City Health Code section 11.27, when a pygmy pig is exposed to the rabies virus, the person who owns, possesses or controls the pig and any other person having knowledge of the exposure shall immediately notify the department by telephone.
b. Sections 11.27 and 11.31 of the New York City Health Code shall apply to pygmy pigs. Specifically, if any pygmy pig is exposed to the rabies virus per New York City Health Code section 11.27, it shall be kept isolated, at the owner's expense, in a manner prescribed by the department in a veterinary hospital or other place approved by the department, under daily veterinary supervision, for a period of six months.
§ 17-392 Violations. Any violation of this subchapter or any of the rules promulgated hereunder shall upon conviction thereof be punishable by a fine of not less than two hundred fifty dollars nor more than five hundred dollars. Civil violations under this section shall be adjudicated before the department's administrative tribunal.
§ 17-393 Rules and regulations. The commissioner of health shall promulgate rules and regulations in accordance with the provisions of this chapter, and such other rules and regulations as may be necessary for the purpose of implementing and carrying out the provisions of this subchapter.
§ 17-394 Applicability. The provisions of this subchapter shall not supersede any existing lease or rental agreement for any cooperative, condominium or homeowner association which contains a clause prohibiting pets.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to establishing the "pygmy pig regulation law"
Purpose or general idea of bill
The legislation amends Chapter 3, Title 17 of the Administrative Code of the City of New York by adding a new subchapter 10 to allow pygmy pigs as house pets and to establish regulations that govern the ownership and possession of pygmy pigs in New York City.
Summary of provisions
Section 1 of the bill amends Chapter 3, Title 17 of the Administrative Code of the City of New York by adding a new subchapter 10 to permit not more than one pygmy pig per dwelling in a residential zone. The permitted pygmy pig should stand no higher than 22 inches at the shoulder and weighs no more than 200 pounds. In addition, it requires a person owning or having the custody, care or control of such pygmy pig to obtain a license from the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene by submitting the proof from a licensed veterinarian that the pig has been neutered or spayed and has been vaccinated against pseudo rabies. The bill also requires the pig owner to comply with New York City Health Code Sections 11.27 and 11.31 in controlling pygmy pigs affected with rabies. The provisions of this subchapter shall not supersede any existing lease or rental agreement for any cooperative, condominium or homeowner association which contains a clause prohibiting pets.
Section 2 provides for this act to take effect immediately.
Justification
Over the years, pygmy pigs have gained popularity and recognition as great pets due to the combination of their unique traits such as cleanliness, diminutive size, friendly disposition, and intelligence. They make great companion animals and are considered by some as therapy animals. For children with allergies, these pigs can provide necessary companionship, without affecting their health.
As pygmy pigs are becoming widely accepted as pets, many towns, cities, and municipalities throughout the United States have enacted laws, ordinances and regulations to permit the keeping of pygmy pigs as pets.
Currently, pygmy pigs are not allowed as a pet in New York City according to the current New York City Health Code section 161.01. This legislation would amend Title 17 of the New York City Administrative Code to allow ownership of pygmy pigs that are spayed or neutered, licensed and properly vaccinated as household pets.
Prior legislative history
2015-2016: S1033
Fiscal implications for state and local governments
None known.
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.