S T A T E O F N E W Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________
6681
2011-2012 Regular Sessions
I N A S S E M B L Y
March 24, 2011
___________
Introduced by M. of A. KELLNER -- read once and referred to the Commit-
tee on Governmental Operations
AN ACT to amend the state law, in relation to designating rescue dogs as
the official state dog
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Legislative intent. Throughout history, art and literature
have depicted humans in all walks of life and social strata with dogs,
illustrating their widespread acceptance in everyday life. Some reli-
gions even incorporated them into their worship. Indeed, dogs have long
been admired for the purity of their character traits, with military
annals documenting the wartime bravery and courage of dogs in the K-9
Corps.
Closer to home, our own culture is populated with examples of the
well-established place dogs have found in our hearts and homes. People
of all ages, but particularly the elderly and the young, enjoy their
companionship. For single people, dogs offer a welcome relief from lone-
liness. For children, an animal in the home contributes warmth and
unconditional love, and teaches responsibility and consideration for the
needs of another creature. Those who suffer from disease or injury expe-
rience a therapeutic, even spiritual, benefit from their presence.
Dogs do so much good for the community: they give us a sense of opti-
mism, safeguard us from depression and loneliness, and break down the
barriers that isolate us from one another. Their presence improves our
health, protects us from danger, and teaches us about caring and respon-
sibility. And they ask for so little in return.
Sadly, as many as 4 million dogs enter animal shelters in the United
States each year. Over 90 percent of these dogs are savable. Most of
them are simply victims of circumstance, ending up in a shelter through
no fault of their own: a person moves, a couple divorces, a job is lost,
EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
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someone gets ill or dies. Most of the dogs are healthy, well-behaved,
and even housetrained.
Unfortunately, some people perceive rescue animals as "damaged,"
concerned that the reason they are in the shelter is because something
is wrong with them. Nothing could be further from the truth. But because
of that perception, some people choose not to adopt. Tragically, roughly
half of all dogs in shelters are killed.
The deaths of these innocent animals can be prevented through
adoption. Shelter and rescue animals are eager to become beloved members
of a family, unconditionally loving and loyal pets, grateful for a
second chance.
While some with special needs might need a little extra TLC, they can
become members of loving homes, as many of the dogs saved from the
horrific dog fighting operation in the Michael Vick case have proven.
Adopting an animal from a shelter or rescue group eases the burden on
the shelter or rescue group, enabling it to continue to serve the commu-
nity by taking in other unwanted or needy animals. Generally, dogs
adopted from shelters or rescue groups are neutered or spayed, thus
reducing the number of homeless dogs in the state.
There are many benefits to adopting an animal from a shelter, ranging
from the ownership support services that most shelters and rescues offer
to the ability to adopt a dog that is already trained and housetrained.
Many animal shelters and rescue organizations provide new owners with an
array of material concerning their new pet's personality, temperament,
habits and other general qualities, and relating to training, common
behavior problems, feeding, general care and more. In addition, there is
the satisfaction of knowing that through adoption, a life has been
saved.
As with the designation of other state symbols, such as the state
flower or state tree, designating the rescue dog as official state dog
will serve an important educational function. The state will promote
humane education, providing opportunities for children in particular to
learn about adopting rescued animals, as well as about the importance of
measures such as spaying and neutering pets, providing them with micro-
chip identification implants, and providing responsive pet care-all of
which have been proven to reduce the number of animals arriving in shel-
ters.
The legislature hereby finds and declares it necessary and in good
policy of the state to promote and encourage the adoption of animals
from animal shelters and animal rescue organizations and to recognize
the services these entities provide.
S 2. The state law is amended by adding a new section 84-a to read as
follows:
S 84-A. STATE DOG. THE RESCUE DOG SHALL BE THE OFFICIAL DOG OF THE
STATE OF NEW YORK. AS USED IN THIS SECTION "RESCUE DOG" MEANS A DOG OF
ANY BREED OR MIXTURE OF BREEDS RESCUED AND ADOPTED FROM AN ANIMAL SHEL-
TER OR RESCUE GROUP LOCATED IN THE STATE.
S 3. This act shall take effect immediately.