Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that establishes an exotic animal sale and ownership ban in New York.

Highlights:

• Amends provisions of the environmental conservation law related to the sale and ownership of exotic animals in New York (Sec. 1). 

• Extends and expands the list of exotic and wild animals prohibited from being kept as pets to include all of the following (Sec. 1):

• Kangaroos;

• Whales and dolphins;

• Elephants;

• Hyenas;

• Rhinos;

• Zebras;

• Seals, sea lions, and walruses;

• Sloths, anteaters, and armadillos;

• Bearcats;

• Prairie dogs; and

• Capybaras.

• Specifies that any individual who owns one of these exotic animals as a pet at the time this bill takes effect may keep the animal for the remainder of its life, as long as all of the following are true of the individual (Sec. 2):

• They have not been convicted of any offense relating to animal cruelty; and

• They apply to the department within 6 months of the effective date of this bill to obtain a special license.

• Specifies that the provisions of this bill shall take effect immediately upon passage (Sec. 3).

Full Bill Text