New York State Bills Signed Into Law/2008

Below is a listing of key animal related bills that have been signed into law this year by New York State Governor Paterson. While these bills address important humane issues, in many instances they need to be strengthened to provide animals with greater protection. The Humane Society of New York will continue to work for the passage of more stringent animal protection legislation that effectively prevents cruelty to all animals.

Animal Irritancy Tests, A. 7402-B, S. 3528-A. Sponsored by Assemblywoman Rosenthal and Senator Padavan. Prohibits manufacturers from testing cosmetics and household products on animals when an alternative test method has been scientifically validated and recommended by the Inter-Agency Coordinating Committee for the Validation of Alternative Methods (ICCVAM) and adopted by relevant federal agencies or programs within an agency responsible for regulating the specific product or activity for which the test is being conducted. California has a similar law.

Slaughter, A. 246-B, S.5920-A. Sponsored by Assemblywoman Clark and Senator Padavan. Places a moratorium on the operation of establishments where animals are slaughtered for food within a 1500 foot radius of a residential dwelling in a city with a population of one million or more. Existing facilities may still operate. Additional bills and other actions to ban/regulate these establishments are being considered.

Animal Fighting Spectators, A. 10092-A, S. 6466-A. Sponsored by Assemblyman Kavanaugh and Senators DeFrancisco, Larkin and Nozzolio. Makes being a knowing spectator at an animal fight a violation. More than 16 states make it a felony to be a knowing spectator and many states make it a misdemeanor. Thus, this bill, while a step forward, needs to be further strengthened.

Animal Response Teams, A. 9715-A, S. 7184-A. Sponsored by Assemblyman Timothy Gordon and Senator Saland. Authorizes the commissioner of Agriculture and Markets to establish state and county animal response teams to support the prevention of, preparedness for, response to, and recovery from emergencies and disasters affecting animals in New York State. Allows for the appointment of volunteers to such teams and further states that the commissioner shall be responsible for training the teams to ensure response during emergencies and disasters.

Task Force on Slaughter of Non-Ambulatory Animals, A. 3689-B, S. 8409. Sponsored by Assemblywoman Markey and Senator Young. Provides for the establishment of a task force to examine, evaluate and determine the most effective state actions to prevent the slaughter of animals who are unable to walk on their own due to illness or injury (referred to as downed animals). The legislature did not pass more effective legislation to prohibit slaughterhouses, stockyards, auction market agencies, or dealers from buying, selling or receiving a downed animal. The bill that did not pass stated that such facilities shall not hold a downed animal without taking immediate action to humanely euthanize the animal or humanely remove the animal for veterinary treatment.

Junior Hunting, A. 11033, S. 8228. Sponsored by Assemblywoman DelMonte and Senator Volker. Provides that 14 and 15 year olds can hunt deer and bear. This bill also allows minors under the age of 12 to assist licensed trappers. The Humane Society of New York and other humane organizations opposed this legislation which was supported by the NYS Department of Environment Conservation.

* We will continue to work for passage of humane legislation during the 2009 session, including supporting bills to make intentional cruelty to wildlife a felony, ban canned hunting, promote humane education, end horse slaughter, allow pets in housing, and much more.