Local Lawmakers Push for Animal Boarding Reform

A bipartisan group of legislators from across the Capital Region gathered in Saratoga County to announce new legislation that would regulate boarding of animals statewide. 

The announcement was made after several high-profile incidents of animal abuse at boarding facilities across the region.  It also comes as over 200 charges have been brought against 10 people across eight incidents of animal abuse. 

The proposed legislation would create state-wide regulations for the boarding of animals in New York State. Under the bill, boarding facilities would be required to get a $150 license and be subject to random inspection by state officials. There would also be requirements for the conditions animals can be kept in. 

New York State Senator James Tedisco, who represents Saratoga County and part of Schenectady, called the current state of animal boarding like the “wild west.”   Tedisco said that some jurisdictions — namely New York City — have implemented regulations but they vary by area. 

“Nobody should be fearful of having to give their dog to a boarding room facility in New York state,” Tedisco said. “For every facility they need put their dog in, they should have a good comfort in feeling that their dog will be treated as safe as they’re treated in their home in that facility.” 

Similar sentiments were expressed by State Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara who will serve as the bill’s sponsor the bill when it is introduced in the State Assembly. Santabarbara said that the bill will bring uniformity to the state and give families peace of mind when boarding. He also asserted that the regulations aren’t designed to hurt businesses. 

“This bill is not about adding burdens,” Santabarbara said. “It’s about creating confidence. Confidence for families. Confidence for responsible business owners, because there’s facilities out there that are doing it the right way. Confidence that tragedies like this can be prevented. We don’t want to ever have to hear about headlines like this anymore.” 

The legislation comes after two high profile incidents of abuse at boarding facilities raised serious concerns in the Capital region and beyond. In July, a French bulldog named Gus died in a Halfmoon boarding facility after suffering from heat exposure. In response, the owner of the facility was charged with several counts of animal abuse and animal cruelty, according to the Saratoga County Sherriff’s Office. 

The second incident occurred in the Washington County town of Argyle in August. According to the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, failure to provide ventilation and water led to the deaths of 21 dogs and charges against the owners of the facility. 

In his remarks, Tedisco asserted that the owners of the Argyle facility said they forgot to turn on the air conditioning at the facility leading to the deaths of the animals and asserted that more monitoring as proscribed by the bill would have potentially prevented the tragedy. 

“I’m not sure that this facility was monitored at all to see what’s taking place,” Tedisco said. “If it was monitored, they might have been shut down before they did something to forget about turning on the air conditioner.” 

Tedisco and Santabarbara were joined by Assemblywoman Mary Beth Walsh, Washington County District Attorney J. Anthony Jordan, Saratoga Sherriff Michael Zurlo and Undersheriff Jeff Brown and Saratoga County Board of Supervisors Chair Phillip Barrett, among others. 

The elected officials were joined by the families of those who had died at the facilities. One of those who spoke at the conference, Cody Shields, lost his three dogs, Brutus, Brunhilda and Loki at the Argyle facility. Shields said the night he got the news, he started working on trying to get legislation to prevent future tragedies and urged the passage of the legislation. 

“The Safe Boarding Act must become law, not just for Brutus, Brunhilda and Loki, but for every pet and family who deserves safety and peace of mind,” Shields said.  “I ask you to stand with us. Stand with the families of the 21 dogs who can no longer be here. Together, we can make sure their lives were not lost in vain.”