What's happening
This bill requires animals transported in open areas of vehicles to be properly enclosed or restrained for safety.
Why it matters
Reduces risks to human safety. by addressing the dangers posed when animals fall or jump from vehicles, which can lead to traffic accidents, injuries, or fatalities for drivers, passengers, and pedestrians.
Establishes clear, enforceable standards. for transporting animals in open vehicle areas—requiring either a fully enclosed space (with racks at least 46 inches high) or a secured, well-ventilated container—to prevent harm to animals.
Creates financial consequences for noncompliance,. with civil fines of $25–$75 per violation, encouraging responsible behavior among vehicle operators and increasing accountability.
Reflects evolving public expectations. regarding animal welfare and road safety, signaling a legislative intent to treat animals as sentient beings deserving of protection during transport.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Restrain Animals in Vehicles
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to transportation
- Referred to transportation
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.
Require Restraints for Vehicle Animals
In Assembly Committee · Transportation · Sponsor Steven Englebright
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
3973
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 31, 2017
Introduced by Sen. LAVALLE -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Transportation
AN ACT to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to transportation of animals in a motor vehicle
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Legislative findings. The legislature hereby finds that animals riding unrestrained or inadequately restrained in open compartments of motor vehicles are injured and killed when they fall or jump from such vehicles, when they are thrown from the vehicle and hit by oncoming traffic, and when they are strangled or dragged beneath the vehicle in which they were travelling. In addition to the obvious safety threat to animals posed by this mode of transportation, animals riding in this manner pose a substantial threat to the safety of drivers and passengers in other vehicles, as well as pedestrians. An animal that jumps or is thrown from a motor vehicle creates a traffic hazard which even the most careful and astute driver may be unable to avoid. Drivers and passengers can be injured or killed when an animal ejected from another vehicle hits their windshield or forces them to drive in an erratic fashion to avoid a collision. Pedestrians are at obvious risk as well as vulnerable victims of these sorts of traffic disturbances.
§ 2. The vehicle and traffic law is amended by adding a new section 1222-a to read as follows:
§ 1222-a. Transportation of animals; enclosure and restraint. 1. No person shall operate a motor vehicle on a public highway while transporting an animal in an open, uncovered area of such vehicle when such area is intended for any load, unless:
(a) such area is entirely enclosed with side and tail racks to a height sufficient to ensure that the animal cannot fall, be thrown or jump from the motor vehicle, but in no case shall such rack be less than
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD03893-01-7
S. 3973 2
forty-six inches extending vertically from the floor of the open area to the top of the racks; or
(b) such animal is secured in a cage or other container which provides sufficient ventilation, protection from the elements and adequate space to ensure the safety and comfort of the animal, and that prevents such animal from being thrown, falling from or jumping from the motor vehicle. Such cage or container shall be secured to the motor vehicle in such a manner as to prevent it from falling from such vehicle or from moving in such vehicle in a manner which creates a substantial risk of injury to the animal transported therein.
2. Any person who violates the provisions of subdivision one of this section shall be punished by a civil fine of not less than twenty-five nor more than seventy-five dollars.
§ 3. This act shall take effect on the first of November next succeeding the date on which it shall have become a law.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to transportation of animals in a motor vehicle
Purpose
Prohibiting the transportation of animals in open areas of motor vehicles unless such animals are enclosed or restrained.
Summary of provisions
Section 2 paragraph 1 states that an animal cannot be transported in an open area of a vehicle unless it is entirely enclosed with side and tail racks; but in no case shall the rack be less than forty six inches extending vertically from the floor of the open area to the top of the racks. If the animal is secured in another manner, that it be provided with sufficient ventilation, safety and comfort so that the animal is protected from being thrown, falling from or jumping from the motor vehicle.
Section 2, paragraph 2 states that if convicted a fine will be imposed on the violator accordingly.
Justification
Animals riding unrestrained or improperly restrained in open compartments of motor vehicles are injured and killed when they fall or jump from such vehicles when they are throw from the vehicle and hit by oncoming traffic and when they are strangled or dragged beneath the vehicle in which they are traveling. In addition, animals riding in this manner pose a substantial threat to the safety of drivers and passengers in other vehicles as well as pedestrians.
Legislative history
2015-15 A.6704; 2013-14 A.2478; 2011-12 A.3852; 2009-10 A.1699; 2007-08 A.859; 2005-06 A.5422.
Fiscal implications
Undetermined
Effective date
This act shall take effect on the first of November next succeeding the date on which 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.