What's happening
This bill requires the Department of Transportation to attempt to notify owners when animals are killed on highways, using tags, chips, web postings, or temporary storage.
Why it matters
Provides closure and reduces distress for pet owners. by creating a process for notifying families when their animal is killed on a highway, potentially sparing them uncertainty about a missing pet’s fate.
Uses multiple identification methods. tags, microchips, and online postings—to maximize the chance of identifying and reaching owners, reflecting an understanding that not all animals are equally identifiable.
Introduces respectful handling and temporary storage of animal remains. , giving owners the opportunity to claim their pets, which can be important for mourning or for religious/cultural reasons.
Allows flexibility in notification procedures. by permitting the Department of Transportation to delegate responsibilities to shelters or veterinarians, which could improve efficiency and ensure proper care in diverse regions.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Notify Owners of Roadkill Pets
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
1 Multi-sponsor
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.
Notify Owners of Dead Pets
In Senate Committee · Transportation · Sponsor Joseph E. Robach
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
3916
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
January 31, 2019
Introduced by M. of A. WEPRIN -- Multi-Sponsored by -- M. of A. ENGLE- BRIGHT -- read once and referred to the Committee on Transportation
AN ACT to amend the highway law, in relation to notifying the owner of an animal killed on a highway
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The highway law is amended by adding a new section 332 to read as follows:
§ 332. Notifying the owner of an animal killed on a highway. (a) Tags. If the animal has a tag with the family's contact information and/or a license number, the department shall: (i) make a reasonable attempt to notify the family using the contact information and (ii) notify the issuer of the license, if any, so that the issuer will attempt to notify the family.
(b) Chips. The department shall scan the animal's remains for an identification chip and, should a chip be found, notify the chip registry through the registry website or by telephone, in accordance with the information on the identification chip.
(c) Web posting. Absent a tag or identification chip, the department shall use a publicly available website to post a description of the animal and the circumstances of its death; and to post a photograph if the department believes this can be done with due respect for personal and community sensibilities.
(d) Storage. If the department has a suitable temporary storage facility it shall store the animal's remains for at least seven days after the department: (i) collects the remains or (ii) makes actual contact directly with the animal's owners, whichever is longer.
(e) Alternatives. The department can delegate the above functions to another entity such as a shelter or veterinarian.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD05216-01-9
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.