BILL NUMBER: S391
SPONSOR: PALUMBO
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the agriculture and markets law, in relation to a
disclosure form for the surrender of a dog
 
PURPOSE:
This legislation is necessary to ensure the safety of adopted animals
and owners by requiring specific information regarding a dog's personal-
ity traits and/or propensities to be provided.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
This legislation provides that when an individual who surrenders a dog
to a shelter, rescue or similar animal protective association, the
receiving agency shall have the individual fill out a form indicating
the reason or reasons for surrendering the dog, whether the dog has been
declared dangerous, whether the dog has bitten anyone or any other
information which the owner feels relevant to the future placement of
the dog. .
 
JUSTIFICATION:
Overwhelmingly, the employees of animal shelters, humane societies or
similar incorporated dog protective associations are volunteers and
offer services free of charge on a variable schedule. In light of this
transitory aspect to the staff, they may not be fully aware of all the
traits of each specific dog and as such may not be in a position to
fully inform prospective new owners of those traits which are imperative
to safely handling the dog. By filling out this short form when surren-
dering the dog, new owners would be advised by the prior owner of the
specific tendencies and personality traits for the safety of the animals
as well as themselves.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2024 S.4800/A.2381; 2022 S.4606/A.6805; 2020 A.6013; 2018: A.6173; 2016
S.10132.
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the sixtieth day after it shall have
become a law.

Statutes affected:
S391: 117 agriculture and markets law