Albany, N.Y. – (6/13/12) Senator Greg Ball (R, C – Patterson) along with Assemblyman Jim Tedisco (R,C,I – Schenectady-Saratoga) hosted the 2nd annual New York State Animal Advocacy Day in Albany, N.Y.
New York State Animal Advocacy Day was a day for legislators from both sides of the aisle and animal supporters to network, share information and then lobby their legislators to protect animals and strengthen animal cruelty laws.
Senator Ball was able to successfully passed his bill S7268A [2], also known as “Charlemagne’s Law”, legislation that will improve the health and quality of life of animals by providing duly licensed pet dealers with updated standards of care.
In May, Senator Greg Ball enlisted the support of his Animal Advisory Council, concerned constituents, the Westchester County SPCA, and their furry friends at a Puppy Mill Protest in Somers, N.Y. in support of this bill.
“Many people throughout New York State have been affected by Puppy Mills. I am happy to be the sponsor of this bill that will now protect these animals and their owners,” said Senator Ball. “I’ve had constituents whose families have suffered through extreme emotional and fiscal costs, while the businesses that kill these animals make high profits. It is my belief that government should stay out of the way of small businesses, but when it is harming animals and families, it’s time to intervene.”
“Puppy Mills” house dogs in shockingly poor conditions, solely for the purpose of breeding. After their fertility wanes, these animals are often killed, abandoned or sold cheaply to another mill. The result of all this breeding is millions of puppies, many with behavior and/or health problems. Puppy Mills continue to thrive because they prey on unwitting consumers who see these poor animals in pet store windows and on legitimate-seeming websites.
“Hundreds of thousands of puppies per year are bred in puppy mills, facilities known for their filthy, overcrowded conditions and the unhealthy animals they produce; and the numbers have only been growing,” said Senator Ball’s Animal Advisory Council Chair, and animal rights advocate, Lisa Giordano. “Senator Ball is committed to stopping the sale and abuse of these animals, protecting the rights of consumers and bringing awareness to this epidemic.”
This legislation will provide that any licensed pet dealer must:
- Designate an attending veterinarian to care for the animals at the facility, who will be available, if needed for emergency, weekend and holiday care;
- Comply with a written program of veterinarian care provided by the attending veterinarian;
- Allow regular visits by the attending veterinarian;
- Provide appropriate facilities, personnel, equipment and services for the animals to implement the plan developed by the attending veterinarian;
- Develop a program to prevent, control and respond to diseases and injuries;
- Designate an employee, trained by the attending veterinarian to provide daily observation of all animals to assess their health and well-being;
- Develop, maintain, document and implement an appropriate daily exercise plan approved by the attending veterinarian. This plan will include providing positive physical contact with humans that encourages exercise through play and other similar activities;
- Designate and provide an isolation area for animals that exhibit symptoms of contagious disease or illness in order to prevent or reduce the spread of disease to health animals;
- Vaccinate as required by the state or local law all animals;
- Not sell any animal that has been diagnosed with a congenital condition or contagious disease.
“Our mission is to protect the puppies, kittens and consumers from the unscrupulous breeders and pet stores,” said Charlemagne’s Law advocate Lorriane Pagano. “These stores and breeders are knowingly selling sick animals in turn people are being forced to euthanize their pets or turn them over to a shelter because they cannot afford the outrageous vet bills associated with their sick pets.”
“The SPCA of Westchester applauds Senator Greg Ball and his staff for their dedication and hard work on bill S7268A, which will provide much needed oversight for licensed pet dealers,” said SPCA volunteer Marge Gottesman. “The SPCA has witnessed first-hand the abuse and misery that comes from unscrupulous breeders who subject helpless animals to atrocious living conditions, lack of veterinary care, and merciless breeding for the sake of profit. This bill will assist all of us who believe that companion animals should be protected and treated with the respect and love they deserve” Shannon Laukhuf, Executive Director, SPCA of Westchester.
For more information or to speak with Senator Ball, please contact Krista Gobins: (845) 531 9796.
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