What's happening
This bill requires veterinarians to report and disclose records of suspected animal cruelty or threats to animal welfare.
Why it matters
Veterinarians would be legally required (rather than simply permitted) to report suspected animal cruelty or neglect. This shifts their role from optional reporters to mandatory reporters, increasing the likelihood that abuse will be detected and acted upon.
The disclosure requirement extends to situations where sharing records is necessary to protect not just animals, but also people or public welfare. This could help authorities intervene in cases where animal cruelty may be linked to broader threats, such as domestic violence or community safety.
The law removes discretion and potential ambiguity for veterinarians, reducing their legal and ethical uncertainty. By making reporting mandatory, veterinarians have clearer guidance and protection for acting to safeguard animal and human welfare.
This amendment could result in more consistent data and earlier intervention by animal welfare agencies, law enforcement, and related authorities. Enhanced reporting may lead to better prevention of cruelty and improved outcomes for both animals and vulnerable individuals.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Require Vets Report Animal Cruelty
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
Senator · Senate District 4
1 Co-sponsor
History
- Referred to higher education
- Referred to higher education
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.
Vets Must Report Animal Abuse
In Assembly Committee · Higher Education · Sponsor Linda Rosenthal
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
621
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 4, 2017
Introduced by Sen. BOYLE -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Higher Education
AN ACT to amend the education law, in relation to mandating the reporting of suspected animal cruelty by veterinarians
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Paragraphs (a) and (b) of subdivision 2 of section 6714 of the education law, as added by chapter 653 of the laws of 2003, are amended to read as follows:
(a) When a veterinarian reasonably and in good faith suspects that a companion animal's injury, illness or condition is the result of animal cruelty or a violation of any state or federal law pertaining to the care, treatment, abuse or neglect of a companion animal, the veterinarian [may] shall report the incident and disclose records concerning the companion animal's condition and treatment to the police, duly incorporated society for the prevention of cruelty to animals, peace officer, district attorney's office, animal control officer, department of agriculture and markets, other appropriate government agency, or any agent thereof.
(b) When a veterinarian reasonably believes that disclosure of records as defined in this section, is necessary to protect the health or welfare of a companion animal, a person or the public, the veterinarian [may] shall disclose such records to the police, duly incorporated society for the prevention of cruelty to animals, peace officer, animal control officer, department of agriculture and markets, other appropriate government agency, or any agent thereof.
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the sixtieth day after it shall have become a law.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD05143-01-7
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the education law, in relation to mandating the reporting of suspected animal cruelty by veterinarians
Purpose or general idea of bill
This legislation would adopt the gold standard in prevention of animal abuse by mandating that veterinarians report suspected abuse to authorities.
Summary of specific provisions
Section 1. Amends paragraphs a and b of subdivision 2 of section 6714 of the education law by requiring that veterinarians who suspect animal abuse report and disclose records to authorities.
Section 2. Effective date.
Justification
Frequently cases of animal abuse go unaddressed because they are not brought to the attention of authorities. In some instances, a veterinarian treating an abused or neglected animal might be the only person who witnesses the results of the abuse or neglect.
If a veterinarian reasonably and in good faith suspects that a companion animal's injury, illness or condition is the result of animal cruelty, the veterinarian should be required to report the incident and disclose records concerning the companion animal's condition and treatment to the police or other appropriate government agency or any agent thereof.
This legislation changes the current law which "allows" veterinarians to report and disclose records of suspected abuse, to "requiring" veterinarians to report suspected cases of abuse and neglect.
Veterinarians are medical professionals with a duty to care and protect animals. When, in their professional judgment, they suspect cases of abuse or neglect, they should be required to report it.
Prior legislative history
Died in Higher Education Committee 2016.
Fiscal implications
None.
Effective date
This act shall take effect on the sixtieth 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.