According to Glenn Blain of dailynews.com, a 2011 story about a woman selling kittens with body piercings (referred to in the ad as “gothic kittens”), got animal advocate Linda Rosenthal all stirred up. So stirred up, in fact, that this New York Assemblywoman authored and introduced a bill outlawing the tattooing or piercing of pets. Blain reports, interest in Ms. Rosenthal’s bill accelerated earlier in 2014 in response to an Instagram posting. The photo, by Brooklyn tattoo artist Mistah Metro, featured his dog bearing a large, fresh, over-the-shoulder tattoo. The Instagram caption stated, “One of the many reasons my dog is cooler than yours! She had her spleen removed today and the veterinarian let me tattoo her while she was under.”
Blain further reports, thanks to Linda Rosenthal’s efforts (and Mr. Metro’s desire to strut his stuff), this story has a happy ending. New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has signed legislation that bans tattooing or piercing of pets in his state. Cuomo stated, “This is animal abuse, pure and simple. I’m proud to sign this common-sense legislation and outlaw these cruel and unacceptable practices once and for all in New York.”
Animal advocacy track record
Linda Rosenthal’s anti-tattoo/anti-piercing legislation is not her first foray into the animal advocacy arena. She’s authored multiple animal protection bills that you can view on the New York Stat Assembly website. Some of the bills relate to:
- Providing for the humane removal of downed animals.
- The sale of birds by pet dealers when such birds have not yet been fully weaned.
- Allocate funding for the New York City animal population control fund.
- Acts of animal cruelty in the presence of a child.
- Create a task force to study how to improve investigations of animal abuse and enforcement of anti-animal abuse laws.
- Include wildlife animals as those subject to the animal cruelty laws.
The list goes on and on! If I didn’t love where I live so much, I might just move to New York, thanks to Linda Rosenthal!
This veterinarian’s perspective
I was delighted to learn that tattooing and piercing of pets in New York have been banned. I have zero tolerance for performing procedures on pets that serve no purpose other than “cosmetic enhancement.” The animal derives no benefit from the forced change in appearance, but is certainly subject to complications such as pain, infection, and scarring that can be associated with such procedures.
By the way, tattooing animals is medically warranted in some cases for tracking ownership or making neutering status known. Such tattoos are exempt from New York’s recently signed legislation. To my knowledge, purposeful piercing is never medically warranted in the world of small animal medicine.
In summary, I say, way to go New York! Let’s hope your new legislation will be contagious around the country.
If you have any questions or concerns, you should always visit or call your veterinarian -- they are your best resource to ensure the health and well-being of your pets.
