SEN. FARLEY PLEASED GOVERNOR SIGNS LEGISLATION TO STRENGTHEN OVERSIGHT OF PET DEALERS

State Senator Hugh T. Farley (R, C, I – Schenectady) is pleased that the governor signed into law an important bill that he supported to better protect animals.

Legislation that was signed into law helps protect the health and safety of dogs and cats across New York State by authorizing local municipalities to adopt more stringent laws to regulate pet dealers.

The law authorizes municipal governments to enact more stringent laws than those currently existing at the state level by removing the current preemption on municipalities to enact their own laws regulating or licensing pet dealers. Any new local ordinance must be at least as stringent as state law and must not result in the banning of the sale of dogs and cats raised in a safe and healthy manner.

The state Department of Agriculture and Markets will continue to enforce existing state laws pertaining to animal care by pet dealers. Under this legislation, if a municipality chooses to adopt a more stringent local law, enforcement of the new law will be the sole responsibility of the municipality.