Provides that dogs engaged in hunting and training as authorized by the environmental conservation law, shall not be deemed to be running at large in violation of any local law or ordinance.
NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
BILL NUMBER: A2224
SPONSOR: Gunther TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the agriculture and markets law, in relation to dogs
engaged in hunting or training
PURPOSE:
The purpose of this bill is to clarify the relationship between the law
regulating dogs that are legally hunting and local laws regulating dogs
"running at large."
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section one amends Section 122 of the Agriculture and Markets Law to
define hunting dogs as a dog used for hunting or training purposes, in
accordance with section 11-0923 of the Environmental Conservation Law,
wearing a tag, collar or other device which has contact information for
the owner, and in compliance with licensing requirements. It states the
circumstances in which a hunting dog may be deemed to be under the
reasonable control of its owner. If a hunting dog is not in compliance
with this section, a dog control officer may charge the owner with a
violation.
Section two establishes an immediate effective date.
JUSTIFICATION:
Current law does not make a distinction between dogs legally engaged in
the act of hunting under Environmental Conservation Law and dogs running
at large as regulated by local laws authorized under Agriculture and
Markets Law.
When hunting dogs become separated from their owners, they often recon-
nect within a short period of time. On some occasions, however, a hunt-
ing dog appearing to be at large is recovered by a dog control or other
law enforcement officer. Owners who are lawfully hunting should not be
penalized for their dogs that may appear to be at large, but are legally
hunting. This bill would define hunting dogs, clarify that dogs are
currently legally authorized to hunt under State law, and that law offi-
cers can determine if a dog is legally hunting or is in violation of
local laws regulating loose dogs. The bill will not restrict munici-
palities' ability to regulate loose or dangerous dogs or the licensing
of dogs. This bill may help prevent the dog from unnecessarily entering
the municipal animal shelter system if an officer finds a hunting dog
and can locate the owner before taking the dog to the shelter.
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2021-22: A288 referred to Agriculture
2019-20: A3730 referred to Agriculture
2017-18: A6860 referred to Agriculture/S2900 referred to Agriculture
2015: A722CA/S3440A Veto 293
2013-2014: S.2688/A.7851 Passed Senate
2012: S.7136/A.10085 Advanced to Third Reading/Committed to Rules
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None.
EFFECTIVE DATE:
Immediately.
