Featured News - Current News - Archived News - News Categories

Maziarz applauds legislation cracking down on puppy mills

by jmaloni

Submitted

Fri, Jan 10th 2014 09:55 pm

State Sen. George Maziarz is pleased to announce Gov. Andrew Cuomo has signed a bill into law that will allow municipalities to regulate pet dealers so long as the local policies adopted are not less stringent than state law. 

The bill (S.3753-A) was approved by the State Legislature in June and was among the final bills from last year sent to the governor for executive action. Maziarz supported the measure and voted in favor of its passage.

"This new law will empower counties, cities, towns and villages to take whatever steps they deem necessary to protect defenseless animals," Maziarz said. "This will help stop the vicious cycle of inhumane breeding and unscrupulous selling."

The law takes effect immediately, and local governments are now authorized to adopt local regulations.

Also of interest to dog lovers, a new measure (S.2665-B) has recently been signed into law that will make animal abusers pay for the cost of care of abused animals that have been seized. This will help make sure those convicted of animal cruelty and animal fighting offenses are held responsible for their crimes. It will also remove a significant financial hardship that is too often thrust upon shelters and refuges.

Furthermore, another new law (S.1079-A) Maziarz sponsored and championed increases the penalty for the crime of killing or injuring a police dog or horse from a Class A misdemeanor to a Class D felony. This action stems in part from the tragic death of Niagara County Sheriff Department's K-9 Rocky in 2011.

Hometown News

View All News