What's happening
This bill requires outdoor dog shelters to better retain body heat and have windbreaks at entrances from November through March.
Why it matters
Enhances animal welfare by requiring dog shelters to help retain body heat,. not just provide basic protection, which is especially important in cold weather to prevent hypothermia and related health risks for dogs left outdoors.
Specifically targets winter months (November through March) by mandating windbreaks at shelter entrances,. addressing a key vulnerability where cold wind can dramatically decrease a dog's ability to stay warm, thus reducing suffering and potential fatalities.
May increase accountability for dog owners and shelters,. as the law sets clearer, more specific standards for what constitutes adequate outdoor shelter, potentially making enforcement easier and leading to improved conditions for outdoor dogs.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Stronger Outdoor Dog Shelter Rules
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to agriculture
- Referred to agriculture
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Stricter Outdoor Dog Shelter Rules
In Assembly Committee · Agriculture · Sponsor Nicole Malliotakis
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
S. 3212 A. 2656
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
SENATE - ASSEMBLY
January 20, 2017
IN SENATE -- Introduced by Sen. GOLDEN -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Agriculture
IN ASSEMBLY -- Introduced by M. of A. MALLIOTAKIS -- read once and referred to the Committee on Agriculture
AN ACT to amend the agriculture and markets law, in relation to appropriate shelter for dogs
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Paragraph (b) of subdivision 3 of section 353-b of the agriculture and markets law, as added by chapter 594 of the laws of 2003, is amended to read as follows:
(b) For all dogs that are left outdoors in inclement weather, a housing facility, which must: (1) have a waterproof roof; (2) be structurally sound with insulation appropriate to local climatic conditions and sufficient to protect the dog from inclement weather while promoting the retention of body heat; (3) be constructed to allow each dog adequate freedom of movement to make normal postural adjustments, including the ability to stand up, turn around and lie down with its limbs outstretched; [and] (4) allow for effective removal of excretions, other waste material; dirt and trash; and (5) during the months of November through March, provide a windbreak at the entrance. The housing facility and the area immediately surrounding it shall be regularly cleaned to maintain a healthy and sanitary environment and to minimize health hazards.
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the thirtieth day after it shall have become a law.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD06025-01-7
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the agriculture and markets law, in relation to appropriate shelter for dogs
Purpose or general idea of bill
To increase the protection afforded to dogs that are housed outside in inclement weather.
Summary of provisions
Section one of this bill amends Agriculture and Markets Law section 353(3)(b) to provide that housing facilities for dogs must be insulated in such a way that the retention of body heat is promoted. The section also requires a windbreak at the housing facility's entrance during the months of November through March.
Section two of this bill provides that this act shall take effect on the thirtieth day after it shall have become a law.
Justification
During inclement weather, dogs can face many perils. Without adequate insulation and protection from wind, rain, snow and extreme temperatures, dogs can experience the loss of body heat, which can lead to hypothermia. This bill would not only increase the protection from the elements afforded to dogs, it would also make their owners more aware of the other perils that exist when a dog is kept outside, such as exposure to lawn pesticides and chemicals used to combat ice and snow. This bill will help keep our dogs safe and healthy.
Prior legislative history
2016: S.6973 - Referred to Agriculture/A.10315 - Referred to Agriculture
Fiscal implications
Undetermined.
Effective date
This act shall take effect on the thirtieth 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.