NY Senate Passes Bill to Prohibit Pet Tattooing and Piercing

The New York State Senate passed a bill Wednesday sponsored by Senator Tom Libous that would prohibit unnecessary piercings or permanent tattooing of companion animals.

If passed, the legislation would only allow body piercing of a pet for medical benefit or strictly for identification purposes. Only then the medical piercing or tattooing of a pet would be performed by or under the supervision of a licensed veterinarion. Violations would carry a fine of up to a year in jail and a $1,000 fine.

The legislation stems from recent news reports and photos by pet owners of their animals with various tattoos and piercings. The bill, supported by the Humane Society and various other animal rights groups, has been sent to the Assembly.