New York Residents:

New York State anti tethering bill--for the 3rd or 4th year--still no law

UPDATE 01/08/09

New York's proposed tethering restrictions, AB 6046, has been in the Agriculture Committee since February, 2009. The bill was introduced by Assembly Members William Magee and Joan L. Millman. Mr. Magee is the Chair of the Agriculture Committee.

This bill would limit chaining of dogs, including use of a running cable or trolley, to no more than 6 hours a day.

The bill also requires any tether to be at least 15 feet long that must be attached to prevent injury or strangulation or entanglement with other objects. There have been incidents, for example, of dogs climbing a fence while chained and hanging themselves. The bill, AB 6046, would ban the use of choke type or prong collars for chaining and require any tether or chain to be attached to a properly fitted collar, harness or like device made for that purpose.

In the introduction to the bill, it is stated, "We should be doing everything we can to decrease the number of aggressive, non-socialized dogs. That will most certainly translate into fewer dog bites, healthier children (as they are most often the ones bitten).... [A] large part of that is ensuring that our dogs are not unduly and unnecessarily chained for long periods of time thus providing them with the exercise and social outlet that they want and need.

So, it's time to move this bill out of committee and onto votes by the Assembly and Senate. Winter is here and there is no reason we shouldn't do everything in New York state to save dogs left on chains to freeze to death.

WHAT YOU CAN DO

Find Assembly Agriculture Committee members here and write or call each one and urge them to vote yes to AB 6046 to restrict cruel chaining and save the lives of dogs chained continually right now in freezing weather.

Go here to find your New York state Assembly member and urge him or her to support restrictions on chaining dogs, AB 6046.

[LINK: http://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?bn=A06046

A06046 Summary:
BILL NO A06046
SAME AS No same as
SPONSOR Magee (MS)
COSPNSR Millman, Titone
MLTSPNSR Hevesi, Pheffer
Add S353-e, Ag & Mkts L
Provides that no dog shall be restrained by a tethering device attached to a fixed point or to a running cable trolley system for more than six hours per day.

A06046 Actions:
BILL NO A06046
02/24/2009 referred to agriculture

A06046 Votes:

A06046 Memo:

BILL NUMBER: A6046

TITLE OF BILL : An act to amend the agriculture and markets law, in relation to the tethering of dogs

PURPOSE :
To prohibit the tethering and chaining of dogs for a period of greater than six hours in a twenty-four hour period.

SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS :
Section 1 -- Adds a new section 353-c to the Agriculture and Markets Law to prohibit dogs from being tethered for more than six hours in any twenty-four hour period. Anyone violating this provision will be subject to a fine of $50-$100 for a first offense and $100-$250 for a second or subsequent offense.

Section 2 -- Effective date.

JUSTIFICATION :
Across the country, there is a greater recognition of the negative physical and psychological effects that the chaining of dogs has on our canine friends. In the past, studies have shown that dogs who are chained up for long periods of time are not properly socialized and have a tendency to be more aggressive. In one study, it was found that chained dogs account for a substantial portion of serious and fatal bites. Each year, dog bites result in over $100 million in medical costs with another $1 billion in liability claims.

We should be doing everything we can to decrease the number of aggressive, non-socialized dogs. That will most certainly translate into fewer dog bites, healthier children (as they are most often the ones bitten), and a substantial decrease in the insurance claims related to dogs. Once again, a large part of that is ensuring that our dogs are not unduly and unnecessarily chained for long periods of time thus providing them with the exercise and social outlet that they want and need.

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY :
S.7219/A.9744 of 2005-2006 S.2052/A6553 of 2007-2008

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS :
None.

LOCAL FISCAL IMPLICATIONS :
None.

EFFECTIVE DATE :
This act shall take effect on the sixtieth day after it shall have become a law.

UPDATE: 2/24/09

A06046 Summary: anti-tethering bill as of 2/24/09

BILL NO A06046

SAME AS No same as

SPONSOR Magee (MS)

COSPNSR Millman, Titone

MLTSPNSR Hevesi, Pheffer

Add S353-e, Ag & Mkts L

Provides that no dog shall be restrained by a tethering device attached to a fixed point or to a running cable trolley system for more than six hours per day."

Find your NYS Assembly Member to write/call: http://assembly.state.ny.us/mem

2007 NYS chaining restriction introduced • Update: This Bill Failed

Keeping dogs chained-sometimes called "tethering"-is cruel because it deprives these highly social pack animals of proper socialization and often leaves them unable to reach whatever shelter, food, and water they've been provided. It isolates them from any meaningful contact or interaction.

The dogs grow aggressively protective of their tiny space and often attack children who come near them. A piece of legislation that would help make the state a safer, more humane place for dogs and the public-Senate bill 2052-was introduced on January 30.