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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:
Borrowed from IDA when similar bill failed. I corrected the info so it's current.
Who to contact:
How 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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