BILL NUMBER: S9719

SPONSOR: HINCHEY
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the agriculture and markets law, in relation to the
recovery of a deceased dog or cat on public roads

 
PURPOSE:

The purpose of the bill is to require municipal and state officials to
make a reasonable attempt to identify any indica of ownership on a
deceased dog or cat they may find.

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

This bill would require municipal and state officials to make a reason-
able attempt to identify any indica of ownership on a deceased dog or
cat they may find and notify the owner or animal management officials of
the owner's death.

 
              

JUSTIFICATION:

Annually thousands of pets are killed in traffic in New York State.
Their bodies maybe disposed of at landfills by highway departments with-
out any notice to the families regardless of whether the pet has an
identifying chip or collar.

This bill will require state and municipal officials make a reasonable
effort to detect the ownership of a dog or cat and then make a reason-
able effort to provide notification to the owner or animal management
officials concerning the animal's death.

This law will create an opportunity to bring closure to the grief and
agony felt by many families whose companion animal is "simply missing"
one day and who suffer this loss not know what happened to their beloved
family member.

 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

02/08/17 A.5410: referred to agriculture

01/03/18 A.5410: referred to agriculture

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

None.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth day after it
shall become law.