Senator Andrew Lanza today annouced a new law that will help protect the health and safety of dogs and cats across New York State by authorizing local governments to adopt more stringent laws to regulate pet dealers. 

The new law authorizes municipal governments to enact more stringent laws than those currently existing at the state level by removing the current preemption on municipalities to enact their own laws regulating or licensing pet dealers. Any new local ordinance must be at least as stringent as state law and must not result in the banning of the sale of dogs and cats raised in a safe and healthy manner.

The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets will continue to enforce existing state laws pertaining to animal care by pet dealers. Under this legislation, if a municipality chooses to adopt a more stringent local law, enforcement of the new law will be the sole responsibility of the municipality.

“This new law is a victory for animals, and for everyone who loves them," said Senator Lanza. "Municipalities from Buffalo to New York City will now be able to pass tough new laws to crack down on puppy mills and bad breeders who place profit above the health and safety of animals. I look forward to continuing to work to make New York one of the best states in the nation when it comes to identifying and fighting animal cruelty.”