What's happening
This bill requires veterinarians to obtain informed consent from pet owners, explain euthanasia methods, and allow owners to be present.
Why it matters
Enhances transparency and trust. By requiring veterinarians to fully explain all euthanasia options, associated risks, and negative impacts, the bill ensures pet owners can make informed, compassionate decisions about their pet's end-of-life care.
Promotes humane treatment. The bill restricts the use of intracardiac (heart) injections to cases where the animal is already heavily sedated, anesthetized, or comatose—except when a veterinarian determines, and documents in writing, that it is the most humane option available. This aims to prevent unnecessary suffering.
Supports emotional needs of pet owners. Pet owners are explicitly granted the right to be present with their animal for the entire euthanasia process, including confirmation of death, recognizing the importance of closure and emotional support during this difficult time.
Establishes accountability and oversight. Mandatory signed consent forms and written documentation of procedures ensure veterinarians are held accountable, and that regulatory bodies have records to monitor compliance and address complaints if necessary.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Require Pet Owner Consent
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
1 Co-sponsor
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.
Require Owner Consent for Euthanasia
In Senate Committee · Agriculture · Sponsor José M. Serrano
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
5699
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
February 14, 2019
Introduced by M. of A. ENGLEBRIGHT, COOK -- Multi-Sponsored by -- M. of A. ARROYO, GOTTFRIED, MOSLEY, PEOPLES-STOKES, PERRY, RIVERA -- read once and referred to the Committee on Agriculture
AN ACT to amend the agriculture and markets law, in relation to informed consent of owners for euthanasia of a pet
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Short title. This act shall be known and may be cited as "Sir Henry's law".
§ 2. The agriculture and markets law is amended by adding a new section 353-g to read as follows:
§ 353-g. Humane euthanasia of companion animals; owner informed consent. 1. Prior to the humane euthanasia of a companion animal which is not lost, strayed, homeless or abandoned, the veterinarian, who will perform such procedure upon the animal, shall explain to the companion animal owner, who grants consent to having the companion animal euthanized, in a truthful and easy to understand manner:
(a) the various methods which can be utilized to humanely euthanize the companion animal;
(b) the benefits and risks of each such method;
(c) the negative impacts upon the animal of each such method;
(d) the alternative method of humane euthanasia to be utilized if the preferred method cannot be humanely utilized, and the negative impacts and risks of the alternative method; and
(e) fully answer any questions the companion animal owner has with regard to euthanizing the owner's pet.
2. No companion animal which is not lost, strayed, homeless or abandoned shall be euthanized by means of intracardiac injection unless the animal is heavily sedated, anesthetized or comatose. However, a licensed veterinarian may perform euthanasia by intracardiac injection upon animals that are not heavily sedated, anesthetized or comatose only when
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD03173-01-9
A. 5699 2
such licensed veterinarian determines that such intracardiac injection is the most humane option available. Whenever a cardiac injection is administered by a licensed veterinarian upon an animal that is not heavily sedated, anesthetized or comatose, such veterinarian shall document, in writing, the administration of such injection and the reason for its administration. Such documentation shall be retained for at least three years.
3. The owner of a companion animal that is humanely euthanized shall be allowed to remain with his or her pet during the entire process of euthanasia, including when death is confirmed.
4. Both the veterinarian, who humanely euthanizes a companion animal, and the owner of such animal shall sign a form, established by the department, stating that the provisions of this section have been fully complied with, that all humane euthanasia methods have been considered and explained, and all questions relating to the euthanasia process have been answered to the owner's satisfaction.
5. The department may promulgate any rules and regulations necessary to implement the provisions of this section.
§ 3. This act shall take effect on the first of January next succeeding the date on which it shall have become a law. Effective immediately, any actions necessary to implement the provisions of this act on its effective date are authorized and directed to be completed on or before such date.
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.