Local law · Int 0184-2024
Prohibiting non-therapeutic, elective, or convenience surgical devocalization of healthy cats and dogs
Official titleShow
A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to prohibiting non-therapeutic, elective, or convenience surgical devocalization of healthy cats and dogs
The heading above is this same sentence with its legal opening removed. No words were added, changed or reordered.
New York City Council
Summary
This bill would prohibit surgical devocalization of healthy cats and dogs for non-therapeutic purposes. Devocalization procedures would only be permitted when medically necessary and performed by a licensed veterinarian on a cat or dog under anesthesia. The penalty for performing a non-therapeutic devocalization procedure would be at least $1,000 or at most $2,500. A veterinarian who performs a non-therapeutic devocalization procedure would be subject to reporting by the Commissioner of Health and Mental Hygiene to the State Department of Education and Board of Regents for disciplinary action due to unprofessional conduct.
Summary from NYC Council (Legistar). How we handle summaries
From the NYC Council's legislative record (Legistar) and official rosters. This record was last updated Sep 7, 2026. About our data
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Where it stands
The session ended before it was voted on. It was not defeated; it simply ran out of time, which is what happens to most legislation. It would have to be reintroduced.
- Introduced
- In committee
- Up for a vote
- Passed one chamber
- Passed
- Enacted
Committee
Committee on Health
Cosponsors
Gale A. Brewer, Crystal Hudson and 10 others
Cosponsors in the order the New York City Council lists them.
- Democratic8
- Republican1
This bill has cosponsors from more than one party.
Party is shown for the 9 cosponsors who are on Agora.
Shown in neutral colors by design; Agora is non-partisan.
- Gale A. Brewer
- Crystal Hudson
- Robert F. Holden
- Shekar Krishnan
- Julie Won
- Christopher Marte
- Justin L. Brannan
- Alexa Avilés
- Tiffany L. Cabán
- Lynn C. Schulman
- Erik D. Bottcher
- Frank Morano
Names without a link are in the official record but not on Agora.
Full history
- Dec 31, 2025
Filed
This Introduction was Filed (End of Session)
NYC Council
- Feb 28, 2024
Introduced
This Introduction was Introduced by Council
NYC Council
- Feb 28, 2024
Referred to committee
This Introduction was Referred to Comm by Council to the Committee on Health
NYC Council