Package of legislation builds on the Administration’s commitment to the welfare and humane treatment of animals
Mayor Bill de Blasio today signed a new package of legislation into law to protect and promote animal welfare, ensuring a more humane City for all New Yorkers.
The bills support the welfare of dogs, horses, and birds, specifically, as well as the wellbeing of all animals. In addition to establishing an Office of Animal Welfare, increasing animal cruelty reporting, and promoting animal shelter adoptions and kennel cough vaccinations, the animal welfare package prevents the trafficking of wild birds, bans the sale of foie gras, and improves working conditions for carriage horses.
“I’m proud to sign this legislation that further solidifies our commitment to the humane and fair treatment of animals across our city,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “I look forward to continuing our work with elected officials and communities to protect animals and build on New York City’s leadership in animal rights.”
This legislation builds on the de Blasio Administration’s commitment to preserving and promoting animal rights. The City is the first in the nation to appoint a designated animal rights liaison within a City’s government to work with animal advocates and implement humane policies that impact animals. Notable accomplishments include the City’s ‘Meatless Mondays’ program. After a successful pilot initiative launched in 2018, all 1800 of the City’s public schools serve vegetarian meals on Mondays.
The administration has also invested $98 million in the development and renovation of full-service animal shelters in all five boroughs—making them the first administration in the City’s history to do so—and has achieved record shelter placement rates at their municipal shelters run by Animal Care Centers of NYC.
Through its work with the City Council and other stakeholders, the City has strengthened regulations and protections surrounding animal welfare. In 2017, the City banned the use of wild and exotic animals in circuses. In partnership with the ASPCA, the City established the NYPD Animal Cruelty Investigation Squad to exclusively investigate animal abuse and neglect cases, and implemented the Animal Abuse Registry. Other legislative achievements include a ban on sale of rabbits, as well as the sales of dogs and cats from puppy or kitten mills, and legislation requiring pet shops to only sell spayed or neutered dogs.
Through Int. 1478-A, the Administration will establish an Office of Animal Welfare, headed by a Director appointed by the Mayor. The Office will advise and assist the Mayor in interagency coordination and cooperation related to animal welfare administration, regulation, management, and programs.
The package of bills signed today also include, Intro 870-A, which requires animal shelters operated by New York City to post photographs of adoptable animals within three days. Intro 1202-A prohibits the trafficking of wild birds, including pigeons. Intro 1378-A prohibits restaurants and stores from selling foie-gras. Int. 1425-A prohibits carriage horses from being worked in certain heat conditions. Through Int. 1498-A the NYPD will now be required to publish semi-annual public reports on complaints and investigations of animal cruelty allegations. Int. 1570-A requires that dogs entering kennels are in compliance with the New York City Health Code and are vaccinated for kennel cough.
“We're thrilled that New York City is now the largest city in the world to protect ducks and geese from the abusive foie gras industry by banning the sale of force-fed products," said Allie Feldman Taylor, President of Voters for Animal Rights. "New York has sent a clear message to foie gras producers that shoving a foot-long pipe down a bird's throat and intentionally diseasing and enlarging their liver up to ten times its normal size in order to create some bizarre delicacy is cruel and has no place in our compassionate city. We’re beyond grateful to Mayor de Blasio for signing this landmark package of animal protection measures into law. By enacting this historic package, New York City has proven itself to be a leader on animal rights."
“We thank Mayor de Blasio for signing these important animal welfare measures, which will reinforce New York City’s reputation as a place of deep compassion and a humane model for cities around the country,” said Matt Bershadker, President and CEO of the ASPCA. “We look forward to working with the Council and Mayor’s Office to continue protecting New York City animals from unacceptable suffering and abuse.”
“This package of bills just made New York a much more civilized city for animals. PETA is pleased that Mayor de Blasio and the city council recognize that animal rights issues are important to voters of all political persuasions,” said Dan Matthews, Senior Vice President of PETA.
