Bill aimed at increasing neutering and spaying for all animals; other prevents owners from tethering an animal for an extensive and cruel time period
January 18, 2011, New York – At today’s Stated Council meeting, the City Council will vote on two bills intended to improve the health and well-being of animals across the City. One bill is specifically aimed at encouraging owners to spay or neuter their pets. The other bill will prevent animal cruelty by not allowing an animal to be tethered for more than three hours.
ELIMINATING ANIMAL CRUELTY
The Council will vote on a bill that will prohibit a person from tethering an animal for long periods of time. This would not allow for an animal to be tethered for more than three continuous hours in a twelve-hour period.
This bill prohibits tethering for more than three consecutive hours in any continuous twelve-hour period. Any person who tethers the animal would be required to provide food, shelter and water for the animal and use an appropriate size tether.
“Tethering an animal for an extended period of time is cruel and unusual,” said Speaker Christine C. Quinn. “This bill will not only prevent this type of unnecessary cruelty, but also increase public safety for pedestrians throughout the City.”
The law would also prohibit the use of a tether that is:
• Too heavy;
• A choke or pinch collar; or
• Likely to become entangled because of its design or placement.
The tether should also prevent the animal from moving outside the owner’s property and prevent the animal from moving over an object that could injure or strangle the animal.
“Chaining a dog and leaving it for hours is fair neither to the dog nor the people who must walk past it,” said Council Member Peter Vallone, Chair of the Public Safety Committee. “This type of abuse can turn the nicest pet into an attack dog. With this legislation, we want to send a strong message that this is no way to care for an animal.”
First time violators would be given a written warning or a fine of up to $250 if the animal is injured as a result of the prohibited tethering. A person who commits a repeat offense within a year would be guilty of a Class B misdemeanor carrying a fine of up to $500 or by imprisonment of up to three months or both, depending on the severity of the crime.
Any person violating this law would also be liable for a civil penalty of between $250 and $500.
“Today, New York City is joining twenty other states in enacting common-sense restrictions on animal tethering,” said Council Member Maria del Carmen Arroyo, Chair of the Health Committee. “Tethering an animal can be vicious and inhumane to the animal. Tethered animals also pose a threat to public safety. This restriction will protect animals and all New Yorkers. I would like to thank Speaker Quinn, Council Member Vallone, Jr., all my colleagues and the animal advocacy organizations for working with the Council in crafting this effective legislation.”
This bill would empower authorized officers, veterinarians and employees of the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, agents of the ASPCA, and any other person designated by the Commissioner of Health to enforce the law. This legislation does not apply to law enforcement animals.
ENCOURAGING SPAYING AND NEUTERING
This bill is intended to encourage owners to spay and neuter their dogs to help control the animal population. The bill would increase the fee for licensing dogs that are not spayed or neutered from $11.50 to $34.00. The additional $25.50 per license will go to a dedicated fund to subsidize animal population control programs. These programs support services that include pet owner education, free and low cost spay and neutering and other veterinary services.
“Having a pet is a lot of fun, but it’s also a big responsibility,” said Council Member Jessica Lappin, sponsor of the bill. “Part of that responsibility is making sure that your pet is spayed or neutered. This bill is a win-win. It encourages people to do the right thing for their pets while raising money from those dog owners who don’t do the right thing. That money then goes toward a fund to help shelter and find homes for the unwanted dogs that often result from unfixed animals. I want to thank Speaker Quinn and Chair Arroyo for their work to bring this bill to a vote today.”
“Raising the licensing fee for unaltered dogs will help encourage pet owners to spay and neuter their dogs and control the pet population,” said Council Member Maria del Carmen Arroyo, Chair of the Health Committee. “The additional revenue will fund free and low-cost spay and neuter services, public education campaigns and other veterinary services for New Yorkers. We must ensure that all New Yorkers recognize the value of dog licensing and that we all do what we can to control the pet population, thereby reducing the number of dogs in animal shelters. I would like to thank Speaker Quinn, Council Member Lappin and all my colleagues.”
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