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Local law · Int 0560-2026

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.

Latest action Feb 12, 2026

New York City Council

Sponsor

James F. Gennaro

Council Member, District 24 · Democratic

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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 Aug 1, 2026. About our data

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Where it stands

Assigned to a committee for review.

  1. Introduced
  2. In committee
  3. Up for a vote
  4. Passed one chamber
  5. Passed
  6. Enacted

Committee

Committee on Environmental Protection and Waterfronts

Cosponsors

Farah N. Louis, Gale A. Brewer and 2 others

Cosponsors in the order the New York City Council lists them.

  • Democratic3
  • Republican1

This bill has cosponsors from more than one party.

Shown in neutral colors by design; Agora is non-partisan.

Full history

  1. Feb 12, 2026

    Introduced

    This Introduction was Introduced by Council

    NYC Council

  2. Feb 12, 2026

    Referred to committee

    This Introduction was Referred to Comm by Council to the Committee on Environmental Protection and Waterfronts

    NYC Council