What's happening
This bill prohibits the tail docking of cattle in New York, making it a misdemeanor similar to the existing ban for horses.
Why it matters
Aligns animal welfare standards. By extending the prohibition of tail docking from horses to cattle, the bill reflects evolving scientific and ethical standards around animal welfare, recognizing tail docking as an unnecessary and potentially painful practice for cattle.
Impacts agricultural practices. Dairy and beef farmers who have historically docked cattle tails for management or hygiene reasons will need to adapt their practices, possibly requiring alternative methods for maintaining cleanliness and worker safety.
Legal and enforcement implications. The bill makes tail docking of cattle a misdemeanor, creating legal consequences for veterinarians, farm workers, and owners, and establishing clear liability for violations found on their premises.
Signals cultural and industry shift. This legislation may encourage broader shifts in livestock management norms and could influence discussions on other animal husbandry practices, potentially positioning New York as a leader in farm animal protection.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Ban Cattle Tail Docking
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
7 Co-sponsors
History
- Referred to agriculture
- Referred to agriculture
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
963
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
January 14, 2019
Introduced by M. of A. L. ROSENTHAL, BENEDETTO, DINOWITZ, ENGLEBRIGHT, ORTIZ, STECK, MOSLEY, RAIA -- Multi-Sponsored by -- M. of A. COLTON, CYMBROWITZ, GALEF, GLICK, GOTTFRIED, HEVESI, LIFTON, MONTESANO, PALMESANO, PAULIN, SIMON, THIELE -- read once and referred to the Committee on Agriculture
AN ACT to amend the agriculture and markets law, in relation to prohibiting tail docking of cattle
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The section heading and subdivision 1 of section 368 of the agriculture and markets law, as added by chapter 1047 of the laws of 1965, are amended to read as follows:
Operating upon tails of horses and cattle unlawful. 1. Any person who cuts the bone, tissues, muscles or tendons of the tail of any horse, mare [or], gelding[,] or cattle, or otherwise operates upon it in any manner for the purpose or with the effect of docking, setting, or otherwise altering the natural carriage of the tail, or who knowingly permits the same to be done upon premises of which he is the owner, lessee, proprietor or user, or who assists in or is voluntarily present at such cutting, is guilty of a misdemeanor, punishable by imprisonment for not more than one year, or by a fine of not more than five hundred dollars or by both. If a horse or a cow is found with the bone, tissues, muscles or tendons of its tail cut as aforesaid and with the wound resulting therefrom unhealed, upon the premises or in the charge and custody of any person, such fact shall be prima facie evidence of a violation of this section by the owner or user of such premises or the person having such charge or custody, respectively.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD03606-01-9
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.