What's happening
This bill prohibits ear clipping and tail docking of dogs unless a licensed veterinarian deems it medically necessary.
Why it matters
Shifts the standard for ear clipping and tail docking from cosmetic or breed tradition to strictly medical necessity, requiring a veterinarian’s judgment that the procedure is needed to protect the dog’s health or life. This could reduce the number of dogs undergoing unnecessary and potentially painful surgeries.
Makes it a misdemeanor—with possible jail time and fines—for anyone to perform or assist in these procedures without a medical reason,. thereby increasing legal and financial risks for breeders, groomers, or owners who might consider these alterations for non-medical purposes.
Provides a clear exemption for dogs whose tails were docked before August 1, 2020,. protecting current owners from retroactive legal consequences and clarifying that the law targets new procedures going forward.
Signals a broader shift in animal welfare standards in New York State,. reflecting increased legislative attention to animal rights and likely influencing veterinary, breeding, and pet care practices statewide.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Ban Dog Ear and Tail Cutting
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to domestic animal welfare
- Referred to domestic animal welfare
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.
Ban Cosmetic Dog Mutilation
In Assembly Committee · Agriculture · Sponsor Nathalia Fernandez
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
4073
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
February 27, 2019
Introduced by Sen. BIAGGI -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Domestic Animal Welfare
AN ACT to amend the agriculture and markets law, in relation to prohibiting ear clipping and tail docking of dogs unless deemed medically necessary to protect the life or health of the dog
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Subdivision 1 of section 365 of the agriculture and markets law, as amended by chapter 458 of the laws of 1985, is amended to read as follows:
1. Whoever clips or cuts off or causes or procures another to clip or cut off the whole or any part of an ear of any dog unless an anesthetic shall have been given to the dog and the operation performed by a licensed veterinarian who deems such operation medically necessary to protect the life or health of the dog, is guilty of a misdemeanor, punishable by imprisonment for not more than one year, or a fine of not more than one thousand dollars, or by both.
§ 2. The agriculture and markets law is amended by adding a new section 365-a to read as follows:
§ 365-a. Docking dog tails; unlawful. 1. Any person who cuts the bone, tissue, muscles or tendons of the tail of any dog, or otherwise operates upon it in any manner for the purpose or with the effect of docking or otherwise altering the natural carriage or length of the tail, or assists, procures, promotes or encourages such cutting or operation for reasons other than to protect the life or health of the dog as deemed necessary by a duly licensed veterinarian, is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not more than five hundred dollars.
2. The provisions of this section shall not apply to any dog or person who is the owner or possessor of any dog whose tail has been certified as having been docked, cut or altered prior to August first, two thousand twenty.
§ 3. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD03623-01-9
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the agriculture and markets law, in relation to prohibiting ear clipping and tail docking of dogs unless deemed medically necessary to protect the life or health of the dog
Purpose of bill
To prohibit the ear clipping and tail docking of dogs unless deemed medically necessary to protect the life or health of the dog.
Summary of specific provisions
Section 1: Subdivision 1 of section 365 of the agriculture and markets law, as amended by chapter 458 of the laws of 1985, is amended to estab- lish that ear clipping of a dog is only permitted when a licensed veter- inarian deems it medically necessary to protect the life or health of the dog.
Section 2: The agriculture and markets law is amended by adding a new section 365-a that will make the docking, or alteration, of dog tails or the assisting thereof - unlawful and punishable with a misdemeanor and a fine of no more than $500, unless deemed medically necessary to protect the life or health of the dog by a licensed veterinarian. Such provisions will not apply to persons who dog had been certified as having been docked before the date of August 1', 2019.
Section 3: This act shall take effect immediately.
Justification
The docking of dog tails and ear clipping has recently become a cosmetic process some owners undertake, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association. Licensed professionals are vehemently against both actions since they are extremely painful to dogs and there is no real reason to do it. We must take steps to prevent such animal cruelty, unless deemed absolutely necessary by a licensed veterinarian.
Legislative history
A11328 of 2018 referred to agriculture
Fiscal implications for state and local governments
To be decided
Effective date
Immediately
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.