Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that prohibits surgical devocalization procedures on dogs and cats in New York.

Highlights:

• Prohibits any individual from performing the surgical devocalization of a dog or cat except in accordance with the exemptions described in this Section (Sec. 1).

• Specifies that surgical devocalization of a dog or cat may only be performed by a licensed veterinarian (Sec. 1).

• Exempts the surgical devocalization of a dog or cat that is performed to relieve or prevent pain or harm to the animal caused by one of the following (Sec. 1):

• Physical illness;

• Disease;

• Injury; or

• Congenital abnormality.

• Requires any veterinarian who performs a surgical devocalization procedure on a dog or cat to document the procedure, including the medical necessity justifying it (Sec. 1).

• Defines “devocalization” as a surgical procedure on the larynx or vocal cords of an animal intended to cause the reduction or elimination of vocal sounds by that animal (Sec. 1).

• Establishes a civil penalty of up to $1,000 for any veterinarian who knowingly performs or causes a surgical devocalization in violation of this Section (Sec. 1).

• Specifies that any veterinarian who knowingly performs a surgical devocalization in violation of this Section is subject to the revocation or suspension of their license (Sec. 1).

• Specifies that an individual convicted of a violation of this Act may be ordered to forfeit the animal that is the basis of the conviction (Sec. 2).

• Specifies that this Act takes effect 90 days after passage (Sec. 4).

Full Bill Text