New York Bans Tattooing, Piercings on Pets

Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed a bill on Tuesday which prohibits the unnecessary piercing and tattooing of cats, dogs, and all other pets for cosmetic purposes for the pleasure of the owner, except under limited circumstances.

“This is animal abuse, pure and simple,” 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.”

The bill was introduced by Assemb. Linda Rosenthal, D-Manhattan, several years ago after she noticed stories about a woman who was selling “Gothic kittens” who had piercings on their necks, ears and spines, according to The Daily News.

In addition, earlier this year, Mistah Metro, a Brooklyn tattoo artist, posted a picture on Instagram of his dog with a heart-shaped tattoo, The Daily News reports.

“Humans should not apply their own fashion sense in permanent harm and injury to their animals,” Rosenthal told The Daily News.

The bill allows the use of piercing and tattooing in only limited circumstances, such as ear tags on rabbits, tattoos for identification purposes only, or where the piercing provides a medical benefit to the animal and is performed by or under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian.

“While people can decide whether they would like to undergo the pain associated with a tattoo or piercing, animals do not have that luxury,” Rosenthal said. “Subjecting animals to painful cosmetic procedures, such as tattooing and piercing, merely to satisfy an individual’s misguided and selfish aesthetic predilections, is inhumane and should be considered cruelty by the law.”

A violation of the law is punishable by imprisonment for a period not to exceed 15 days and/or a fine of $250. The law will take effect in 120 days.

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