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| New York assembly agriculture committee debark cats, dogs - Mary Cummins, Animal Advocates |
This passed the assembly vote March 24, 2015 147/0 unanimous. It now goes before the New York Assembly Agriculture Committee. I'm trying to track it down and will post and update as an action alert. They meet Tuesdays are 9:00 a.m. New York time. It's not on any agenda yet. I'll keep checking. Here are members of the committee to politely contact. Tell them to vote yes on 1679 to ban debarking. I swiped the contacts from AKC website ;-)
Those who reside or participate in events in New York are encouraged to contact the Assembly Agriculture Committee TODAY and ask them to support, vote for Assembly Bill 1679.COMMITTEE CONTACT INFORMATION
Click on the committee member's name below for Albany and district contact information.If you are a constituent, be sure to mention that when contacting them:
- William Magee, Chair (District 121 - Oneida)
- Didi Barrett (District 106 - Hudson)
- Michael Benedetto (District 82 - Bronx)
- Ken Blankenbush (District 117 - Carthage)
- Harry Bronson (District 138 - Rochester)
- Marc Butler (District 118 - Johnstown, Herkimer)
- Clifford Crouch (District 122 - Binghamton)
- Gary Finch (District 126 - Auburn)
- Aileen Gunther (District 100 - Monticello, Middletown)
- Stephen Hawley (District 139 - Albion)
- Barbara Lifton (District 125 - Ithaca)
- Peter Lopez (District 102 - Catskill, Schoharie)
- Steven Otis (District 91 - Port Chester)
- Jose Rivera (District 78 - Bronx)
- Linda Rosenthal (District 67 - Manhattan)
- Addie Russell (District 116 - Watertown, Canton)
- Angelo Santabarbara (District 111 - Amsterdam, Schenectady)
- Luis Sepulveda (District 87 - Bronx)
- Michael Simanowitz (District 27 - Flushing)
- Frank Skartados (District 104 - Newburgh)
- James Skoufis (District 99 - Chester)
- Al Stirpe (District 127 - N. Syracuse)
- Carrie Woerner (District 113 - Saratoga Springs)
Borrowed from IDA when similar bill failed. I corrected the info so it's current.
Who to contact:1) Assemblyman William Magee, Chair, Agriculture Committee: 518-455-4807,MageeW@assembly.state.ny.us2) Your own Assemblymember. Don’t know who he or she is? Just click here and enter your address:http://assembly.state.ny.us/mem/?sh=search3) Speaker Carl E Heastie: (518) 455-4218 Speaker@assembly.state.ny.usHow to contact them:
- Calls (during normal business hours) are most effective.
- If you get voicemail, leave your name, address (to prove you’re a constituent) and a short message: “I urge the Assemblymember to pass Assembly Bill 3431-A. Devocalization is cruel and must be banned!”
- Then call again until you can speak with an aide.
- If you email, put this in the subject line: Constituent Support for A1679 Banning Devocalization
What to say to your Assemblymember (or an aide):
- In your words: “I urge you (the Assemblymember) to pass A1679, which bans devocalization of dogs and cats. Cutting an animal’s vocal cords by any means for any purpose except to treat a physical ailment causing the animal medical harm is cruel. Massachusetts has outlawed devocalization. It is illegal throughout the UK too. It’s time for New York to step up!"
- Be an informed advocate: Read the Fast Facts below before calling.
- Always be brief and polite!
Got another minute to protect dogs and cats? Ask your veterinarian for a letter supporting A1679 and be sure to get a copy! Urge him or her to take a humane stand for animals as more than 200 Massachusetts vets did by endorsing that devocalization ban. Surgery used to stifle a dog’s or cat’s voice is animal cruelty. The vets to whom we entrust our best friends should never sanction that.
Fast Facts About Devocalization
- Devocalization can cause lifelong suffering or horrific death by choking or heat stroke.
- The risk of infection is greater for devocalization than for other surgical procedures.
- Complications are common regardless of the vet's skill, the instrument used - even laser - and whether vocal cords are cut through the oral cavity or an incision in the neck.
- In fact, the less-invasive procedure has a higher risk of internal scarring that may obstruct the airway and impair swallowing and breathing.
- Surgery to correct airway obstruction following devocalization is very costly - and may need to be repeated, subjecting animals to increased risks and their guardians to expenses they may not be able or willing to fund.
- Devocalized animals are given up just like any other dog or cat, such as when no longer useful for breeding or exhibition. This convenience surgery exposes them to great risks without any benefit.
- Some breeders have sold animals without disclosing they were devocalized, leaving the new families to face great expense or the suffering and death of their beloved companion.
- Devocalization is more common than most people think, primarily among those who use animals for profit or hobby, when they or neighbors don’t want to hear their animals or to keep show dogs quiet in the ring or in transit between shows. Unlike cut ears and tails, cut vocal cords are not visible, so most people assume these animals' raspy voices or labored breathing are the result of an illness. Who would imagine someone had their vocal cords cut?
- Cats are devocalized too, though less often than dogs.
BILL NUMBER:A1679 TITLE OF BILL: An act to amend the agriculture and markets law, in relation to restricting the performance of surgical devocalization procedures on dogs and cats PURPOSE OF THE BILL: This bill will prohibit the devocalization of dogs and cats unless there is a medical condition that requires the procedure. SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS: Section one of the bill creates section 365-a in the agriculture and markets law that prohibits the devocalization of cats and dogs unless medically necessary. Section two of the bill relates to forfeiture of animals. Section three of the bill authorizes the commissioner of agriculture and markets and the commissioner of education to promulgate rules and regulations to enforce this section. JUSTIFICATION: The devocalization of animals is an invasive procedure that involves the surgical removal of a dog or cat's vocal cords. This procedure often leads to serious and long term respiratory and throat ailments. It silences the dog or cat and prevents communication between other animals and their owners. This bill will outlaw "convenience" devocalization and restrict the invasive surgery for cases where it is medically necessary to treat or relieve an illness or injury.
http://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?default_fld=&bn=A01679&term=2015&Summary=Y&Actions=Y&Memo=Y&Text=Y
Mary Cummins of Animal Advocates is a wildlife rehabilitator licensed by the California Department of Fish and Game and the USDA. Mary Cummins is also a licensed real estate appraiser in Los Angeles, California.
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