Pet Tattoo Ban - The state of New York is officially banning cosmetic pet tattoos and piercings which have become a trending fashion craze.
Reports indicate that the bill, which bans pet tattoos, was signed into law by the Governor Andrew Cuomo on Monday. It would come into effect after 120 days.
Animal right groups started lobbying for the bill after several people began posting pictures of their tattooed and pierced pets on social media.
"This is animal abuse, pure and simple," Gov Cuomo said. "I'm proud to sign this common-sense legislation and end these cruel and unacceptable practices in New York once and for all."
Residents of New York who violate the new pet tattoo ban will be fined at least $250 and could spend about 15 days in jail, depending on the severity of the transgression.
According to local sources, the bill got a lot of support following an Instagram post by a New York artist in March. Brooklyn tattoo artist Alexander Avgerakis posted a photo of his dog on Instagram after tattooing a heart on his pet's shoulder, which was shaven.
The pit-bull mix, named Zion had undergone a medical procedure and was under anaesthetic when Avgerakis tattooed a heat with the name Alex and Mel written on it.
"My dog is cooler than yours," Avgerakis who also goes by the name Mistah Metro", posted along with the photo. "She had her spleen removed yesterday, and the vet let me tattoo her while she was under (anaesthetic)," he added.
The photos of the unconscious Zion was deleted shortly afterwards but not before it ignited public outrage.
The American Veterinary Medical Association condemned the act, calling it unethical.
Reports indicate that Linda Rosenthal, a Democratic assembly woman from Manhattan, introduced the legislation in 2011 after becoming aware of a woman who put her kittens up for sale in the same year on the Internet. The cats were tagged as "gothic kittens" and had piercings from the necks through to their spines.
"Though it may seem inconceivable that anyone would tattoo or pierce their dog or cat, a quick Internet search reveals that it is a growing trend among some misguided individuals," Rosenthal said.
The law notes that any pet tattoos done for identification purposes would only include numbers and letters, which would be assigned for a registry that collates tattoo identifications.
The New York pet tattoo ban doesn't apply to ear tags on pets including guinea pigs and rabbits.
Reports indicate that the pet tattoo ban has an exemption for tattoos that are used sole for identification purposes. Markings on pets, which are done under an authorized veterinarian's supervision for medical reasons, are also exempted under the new New York law.
