What's happening
This bill allows municipalities in New York to permit pygmy pigs as pets, defining their size and breed requirements.
Why it matters
Expands local control. This bill gives municipalities the explicit authority to allow pygmy pigs as pets, letting communities decide what’s best for their residents rather than imposing a one-size-fits-all state ban.
Sets clear health and safety standards. By defining specific breeds and size requirements (no taller than 22 inches at the shoulder, no heavier than 200 pounds), the bill aims to address public health and nuisance concerns that can come with larger or unregulated swine.
Supports responsible pet ownership. The bill requires the state health commissioner to issue rules and regulations, which means there will likely be oversight on issues like care, housing, and disease prevention—potentially reducing risks for both owners and neighbors.
Reflects changing attitudes toward pets. Allowing pygmy pigs acknowledges a shift in public perception about non-traditional companion animals, potentially paving the way for broader discussions about pet policies and animal welfare.
Albany, before your first meeting.
Every bill that moved yesterday, summarized in a sentence and ranked by impact. The Albany Scorecard follows on Sundays.
Free. Unsubscribe in one click. Want alerts on specific bills? Create an account.
Who cares
Headline styles
Allow Pygmy Pigs as Pets
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to health
- Referred to health
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
1504
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 10, 2017
Introduced by Sen. AVELLA -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Health
AN ACT to amend the public health law, in relation to pygmy pigs
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Section 206 of the public health law is amended by adding a new subdivision 31 to read as follows:
31. The commissioner shall promulgate any necessary rules and regulations permitting municipalities to allow pygmy pigs as pets. For the purposes of this subdivision, the term "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 twenty-two inches at the shoulder and weighs no more than two hundred pounds.
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the one hundred twentieth day after it shall have become a law.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD01257-02-7
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the public health law, in relation to pygmy pigs
Purpose
To allow the commissioner of the New York State Department of Health to promulgate any necessary rules and regulations permitting municipalities to allow pygmy pigs as pets.
Summary of provisions
Section 1 of the bill amends Section 206 of the public health law by adding a new subdivision 30 requiring the commissioner to promulgate any necessary rules and regulations permitting municipalities to allow pygmy pigs as pets.
For the purposes of this subdivision, the term "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 twenty-two inches at the shoulder and weighs no more than two-hundred pounds.
Section 2 of the bill states that this act shall take effect on the one hundred twentieth day after it shall have become a law.
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 pets in New York City according to the current New York City Health Code section 161.01. This legislation would allow the commissioner of the New York State Department of Health to promulgate any necessary rule and regulations permitting municipalities across New York State to finally allow pygmy pigs as pets.
Prior legislative history
New bill.
Fiscal implications for state and local governments
To be determined.
Effective date
This act shall take effect on the one hundred twentieth day after it shall have become a law.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.