N.Y. Agriculture & Markets Law Section 353-F
Companion animal piercing and tattooing prohibited

1.

No person shall pierce or cause to have pierced a companion animal unless such piercing provides a medical benefit to the companion animal. Such piercing shall be performed by a licensed veterinarian or under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian. Nothing in this section shall be construed to apply to ear tags on rabbits and cavies.

2.

No person shall tattoo or cause to have tattooed a companion animal unless such tattoo:

(a)

is done in conjunction with a medical procedure for the benefit of the companion animal and to indicate that such medical procedure has been done, provided that such tattoo is not for design purposes; or

(b)

is done for the purpose of identification of the companion animal and not for design purposes, and such tattoo includes only such numbers and/or letters allotted by a corporation that, in the regular course of its business, maintains an animal tattoo identification registry.

3.

For the purposes of this section, “tattoo” shall mean a mark on the body made with indelible ink or pigments injected beneath the outer layer of the skin.

4.

Tattooing done in conjunction with a medical procedure for the benefit of a companion animal that indicates that such medical procedure has been done shall be performed by a licensed veterinarian or under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian.

5.

Any person who knowingly violates the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a violation punishable pursuant to the penal law.

Source: Section 353-F — Companion animal piercing and tattooing prohibited, https://www.­nysenate.­gov/legislation/laws/AGM/353-F (updated May 1, 2015; accessed Oct. 26, 2024).

350
Definitions 351
Prohibition of animal fighting 353
Overdriving, torturing and injuring animals 353‑A
Aggravated cruelty to animals 353‑B
Appropriate shelter for dogs left outdoors 353‑C
Electrocution of fur-bearing animals prohibited 353‑D
Confinement of companion animals in vehicles: extreme temperatures 353‑E
Companion animal grooming facilities 353‑F
Companion animal piercing and tattooing prohibited 354
Sale of baby chicks and baby rabbits 355
Abandonment of animals 356
Failure to provide proper food and drink to impounded animal 357
Selling or offering to sell or exposing diseased animal 358
Selling disabled Equidae 358‑A
Live animals as prizes prohibited 359
Carrying animal in a cruel manner 359‑A
Transportation of horses 360
Poisoning or attempting to poison animals 361
Interference with or injury to certain domestic animals 362
Throwing substance injurious to animals in public place 363
Unauthorized possession of dogs presumptive evidence of larceny 364
Running horses on highway 365
Clipping or cutting the ears of dogs 366
Companion animal stealing 366‑A
Removing, seizing or transporting dogs for research purposes 367
Leaving state to avoid provisions of this article 368
Operating upon tails of horses unlawful 369
Interference with officers 370
Protection of the public from attack by wild animals and reptiles 371
Powers of peace officers 372
Issuance of warrants upon complaint 373
Seizure of animals lost, strayed, homeless, abandoned or improperly confined or kept 374
Humane destruction or other disposition of animals lost, strayed, homeless, abandoned or improperly confined or kept 375
Officer may take possession of animals or implements used in fights among animals 376
Disposition of animals or implements used in fights among animals 377
Disposal of dead animals 377‑A
Spaying and neutering of dogs and cats 378
Unlawful tampering with animal research 379
Prohibition of the selling of fur, hair, skin or flesh of a dog or cat 380
Use of elephants in entertainment acts 380*2
Examination of seized animals or animals taken possession of 381
Prohibition of the declawing of cats 382
Prohibition of the slaughter of race horses and race horse breeding stock 383
Examination of seized animals or animals taken possession of 384
Special provisions related to the importation of dogs and cats into the state for sale, resale or adoption 385
Prohibition of slaughtering horses for human or animal consumption
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Accessed:
Oct. 26, 2024

Last modified:
May 1, 2015

§ 353-F’s source at nysenate​.gov

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