"Puppy mill bill" signed into law

Senator George Maziarz is pleased to announce that Governor Andrew Cuomo has signed a bill into law that will allow municipalities to regulate pet dealers so long as the local policies adopted are not less stringent than state law. 

The bill (S.3753-A) was approved  by the State Legislature in June 2013 and was among the final bills from last year sent to the governor for executive action.  Senator Maziarz supported the measure and voted in favor of its passage. 

“This new law will empower counties, cities, towns, and villages to take whatever steps they deem necessary to protect defenseless animals,” Senator Maziarz said.  “This will help stop the vicious cycle of inhumane breeding and unscrupulous selling.”

The law takes effect immediately and local governments are now authorized to adopt local regulations.

Also of interest to dog lovers, a new measure (S.2665-B) has recently been signed into law would make animal abusers pay for the cost of care of abused animals that have been seized.  This will help us make sure that those convicted of animal cruelty and animal fighting offenses are held responsible for their crimes.  It will also remove a significant financial hardship that is too often thrust upon shelters and refuges.

Furthermore, another new law (S.1079-A) I sponsored and championed increases the penalty for the crime of killing or injuring a police dog or horse from a Class A misdemeanor to a Class D felony.  This action stems in part from the tragic death of Niagara County Sheriff Department’s K-9 Rocky in 2011.

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