New York State Bans Cosmetic Pet Tattoos And Piercings

Wanna give your min pin a super rad tat of King Kong right on his flank? Well, you can’t do it in the state of New York, seeing as how they’ve just passed a law that prohibits the tattooing or piercing of a companion animal for any reason other than medical or identification purposes. Oh and, if you answered yes, what is the matter with you?

According to PETA, tattooing or piercing a companion animal falls under the umbrella of animal cruelty, which is illegal in all 50 states. However, instances of people deciding that their furry friends just weren’t hard core enough prompted the need for New York to clarify the issue as it’s own separate statute. It comes on the heels of similar legislation that is close to passage in New Jersey, and in Pennsylvania, where the first legislation of it’s kind occurred.

The fact that this is necessary is just mind boggling

The NY Post

As of now Pennsylvania and New York (whose measure will take effect in 120 days) are the only states with such a statute on the books. This may lead you to believe that this isn’t a very wide spread issue, but instances of people going full Kat Von D on their pals have popped up all over the country.

A man in Brooklyn, New York faced heavy criticism on social media after he was allowed to tattoo his dog before the effects of anesthesia wore off from a veterinary procedure. In another instance, an abandoned pit bull puppy named Petey was discovered in Los Angeles, California with a gang tattoo scrawled across his belly. Think that’s it? But, wait-there’s more! In a truly delusional example, a woman in Sweet Valley, Pennsylvania was charged with animal cruelty in 2010 after piercing the ears of three cats and attempting to sell them online as “gothic.”

But…Sweet Valley is so wholesome.

Fanpop

The latter example is what prompted Pennsylvania’s legislation and the woman in question was sentenced to six months house arrest. While still awaiting final passage, New Jersey’s bill would carry with it a possible 18-month jail term. For the curious, New Jersey’s statute was inspired after Assemblyman Carmelo G. Garcia saw a dog in Hoboken with a tattoo of the New York Mets logo. You just can’t make this stuff up.

While the need for such legislation is downright depressing, (one would hope that people understand subjecting an animal, who can’t consent, to a painful and unnecessary procedure is cruel. Yet, they don’t.) the fact that there are people in the legislature that will stand up for animals and act to protect them is always good. Governor Andrew Cuomo didn’t hesitate to sign the bill, violations of which will come with up to 15-days in jail and penalties up to $250 dollars. “This is animal abuse, pure and simple,” Cuomo said.

We couldn’t agree more. Thank you for standing up for animals, New York!

Lead Image Credit: Gannett