You are reading

Gianaris’ Bill That Aims to End Puppy Mills Awaits Gov. Hochul’s Signature

A Goldendoodle bought at a puppy mill in Brooklyn (Photo: Queens Post)

Jun 7, 2022 By Christian Murray

The state legislation that aims to ban pet stores from selling dogs, cats and rabbits is closer to becoming law than ever before.

The bill, which has been championed in the state senate by Mike Gianaris for years, passed the Assembly last week for the first time after several failed attempts in the past. The senate version of the bill gained passage on May 10– and has passed with relative ease in prior years.

This is the first time the legislation that calls for the end of puppy mills and breeding farms has passed both legislative chambers and it now sits on Gov. Kathy Hochul’s desk awaiting her signature. This is the first time the legislation—despite repeated attempts—has made its way to a sitting New York governor.

Gianaris, who represents western Queens, hopes the legislation will end the puppy mill pipeline to pet stores. He said pet-seekers should instead turn to shelters and rescue organizations to adopt animals in need of a home. Pet store owners, he said, can also work with shelters to organize adoption events at their stores.

“With so many good animals in need of rescue, there is no need for pet stores to sell animals that predominantly come from abusive puppy and kitten mills,” Gianaris said in a statement. “Our four-legged companions should be treated with respect, not like commodities.”

The bill passed the state assembly Friday in the final hours of the legislative session.

“Puppy mills breed cruelty,” said Assemblymember Linda Rosenthal (D-Manhattan), who sponsored the legislation. “The vast majority of dogs, cats and rabbits sold in New York State pet stores come from factory-like mills. I look forward to this bill soon becoming law.”

The law would affect roughly 80 pet stores that are registered to sell domestic animals in the state.

Animal welfare groups celebrated the bill’s passage.

“New York State needs to end the sale of cruelly bred puppy mill dogs in pet shops,” ASPCA President and CEO Matt Bershadker said in a statement. “Shutting down the puppy mill pipeline will help stop retail sellers and commercial breeders from engaging in—and profiting from—unconscionable brutality.”

If the bill becomes law, New York would be the sixth state in the nation to ban the sale of dogs and cats from pet shops. California has enacted such a ban, along with Maryland, Maine, Washington and Illinois.

email the author: [email protected]

One Comment

Click for Comments 
Sam Musket

Dear Ms. Gov. Kathy Hochul your vote to sign the Puppy mill pipeline is crucial. This bill will protect many animals from suffering; Puppies, kittens, rabbits ect. Many people are aware of this sad situation. However, some of the public can learn that their goal of bringing home a happy healthy pet is coming from an unhealthy environment. As a consumer I have observed animals unable to reach water bottles to drink, overcrowding, injuries, a animal struggling to breath to name a few. I find this to be important to address. Animals need protection from all harm and live in clean appropriate conditions. Thank you for your consideration. Your vote can make the difference, thank you Sincerely

Reply

Leave a Comment
Reply to this Comment

All comments are subject to moderation before being posted.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Recent News

Manhattan bouncer charged in New Year’s Day fatal stabbing in Elmhurst: NYPD

A Manhattan man was arrested on Saturday and charged in the fatal stabbing of an East Elmhurst man during the early morning hours of New Year’s Day in what notably became the city’s first homicide of 2024.

Torrence Holmes, 35, of St. Nicholas Place in Hamilton Heights, was taken into custody at his home and transported back to Queens, where he was booked at the 110th Precinct in Elmhurst on manslaughter and other charges on Saturday afternoon.

After surge of traffic violence, Queens leaders demand safer streets especially for children

Following a tragic week on Queens streets where three pedestrians — 43-year-old Natalia Garcia-Valencia, 58-year-old Elisa Bellere and 8-year-old Bayrron Palomino Arroyo — were fatally struck by unsafe drivers, Queens Borough President Donovan Richards announced that he has allocated $1.5 million in capital funding for street safety improvements on three of the borough’s most dangerous roadways.

Richards made the announcement at 82nd Street and Astoria Boulevard in East Elmhurst on Monday morning, about a mile from where the 8-year-old boy was struck and killed by an impatient pickup truck driver from Flushing on Mar. 13 as he walked in the crosswalk at 31st Avenue and 101st Street with him mother and brother, who was injured.