Hein smiles for the camera after signing the local law, accompanied by fellow legislators
and animal rights advocates
KINGSTON – Ulster County Executive Michael Hein signed into law a measure that sets a minimum standard of care for pet sellers in the county and prohibits the sale of pets to persons who are listed on the county’s animal abuse registry.
Hein called animal abuse and neglect “unconscionable,” and said the community has “an obligation to stand up for those that cannot defend themselves.”
He called the measure “a common-sense law” to help combat animal abuse.
“Whether it is making sure pet breeders are required to check and not sell to anyone that is on the Ulster County Animal Abuse Registry, or making sure that there are minimum standards for housing, sanitation, feeding, veterinary care, exercise, those kinds of things; this law ensures that we are not going to have puppy mills in Ulster County,” Hein said.
“The humanity of a society is defined by how we treat our companion
animals – the defenseless pets that many residents depend on for
comfort and protection and that rely on us for their safety and security,”
said County Legislature Chairman Kenneth Ronk.
Former county legislator Brian Shapiro of Saugerties, now the New York State director of The Humane Society of the United States said Ulster “now has an effective law that creates much better standards for dogs and cats that are bred locally as pets.”
The new law builds on the county’s other pet protection efforts including the county dog park in New Paltz, the county’s anti-tethering law, the domestic violence prevention safe pet boarding program, a humane feral cat program and the county’s Animal Abuse Registry.
