BILL NUMBER: S1148

SPONSOR: KAMINSKY
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the agriculture and markets law, in relation to requir-
ing the commissioner of agriculture and markets to establish licensing
and educational standards for individuals providing canine training for
non-service and non-police dogs

 
PURPOSE OF THE BILL:

To license entities who provide training to domestic companion dogs in
New York State.

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section one of the bill amends the agriculture and markets law by adding
a new section 113-a as it relates to empowering the department of agri-
culture and markets to establish a license for individuals to provide
basic obedience courses.
              

Section two of the bill relates to the effective date.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

New York currently has no provisions in law to require the licensing and
regulation of businesses that provide dog obedience training.  This
leaves pet owners, as consumers of these services, with little or no
information about the legitimacy of any person or entity that chooses to
call themselves a dog training expert.

In December of 2016, an Oceanside, New York dog training facility was
the focus of an investigation after several claims of animal abuse.  An
employee of the facility was videotaped repeatedly poking a stick at a
caged dog. Other reports of dogs, including young puppies, being wound-
ed, beaten, and mistreated at the same "school" are also being investi-
gated. The owner of the school, in a written communication to a local
newspaper, defended his actions by asking "Why is it abuse to hit a
dog?"

In the absence of any professional standards, unscrupulous individuals
can mislead unsuspecting dog owners, resulting in a lack of any real
training, or worse, permanent damage and/or abuse of the animal. This
bill will ensure that streamlined, consistent licensing practices are
put into place while denying licensing to anyone previously convicted of
abusing an animal.

In addition to police officers, constables, and peace officers, the bill
also allows for enforcement by professionals who specialize in detecting
animal abuse, including animal control officers, and officers and agents
of an incorporated society for the prevention of cruelty to animals
(SPCA).

 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

2020: S7066, Kaminsky. Referred to Domestic Animal Welfare.

2018: S144, Kaminsky. Referred to Agriculture.
2017: S144, Kaminsky. Referred to Agriculture.

2016: S8219, Kaminsky. Referred to Rules.

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE:

To be determined.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.