Pet Tattoo Ban: Animals Protected Under New Law To Be Signed By New York Governor

A pet tattoo ban will go into effect in New York after Gov. Andrew Cuomo signs a law to prohibit what many feel is animal abuse. According to NewsMax, the legislation was introduced back in 2011, and is finally getting some serious wings. There has been a lot of controversy surrounding pets who get pierced and/or tattooed by their owners, so much so that a law was drawn up to prohibit such actions. Animal rights activists believe that doing these things to a pet is inhumane, and Gov. Cuomo agrees.

“This is animal abuse, pure and simple. I’m proud to sign this common-sense legislation and outlaw these cruel and unacceptable practices once and for all in New York,” explained Cuomo.

The pet tattoo ban will go into effect in 120 days according to the Huffington Post. There will be an exception to the law that will allow markings in the form or numbers or letters to be put on an animal under a veterinarian’s supervision that is for medical or identification purposes only. Ear tags on rabbits and guinea pigs will also be permitted under the new law. Other than that, people won’t be able to pierce their cat’s ears, or tattoo their names on their dog’s belly just for “cool” points. Most people would agree that none of things are actually “cool” anyway.

“Companion animals… will no longer be subject to the selfish whims of their owners. Humans should not apply their own fashion sense in permanent harm and injury to their animals,” said Linda Rosenthal (D-Manhattan), who first introduced the bill.

The pet tattoo ban comes with serious consequences for anyone who decides to go against it. According to the report, people face fines up to $250, and 15 days behind bars for breaking the new law.

Most people support this new law. However, as previously reported by the Inquisitr, there are some pet laws around the country that will make you question legislature. For example, anyone with a pet lion in Maryland knows that it’s illegal to take said pet to the cinema. In Hartford, Connecticut, it is against the law to educate a dog. In the state of Wyoming, anyone who takes a photograph of a rabbit between January and April will face serious consequences. And in Minnesota, any quick-thinking cats who choose to chase down a dog? Well, they should think twice, because that is totally illegal.

[Photo © Effie Orfanides]