Local Pols Revive Bill To Ban Tattooing, Piercing Of Pets After Viral Story

After a news story went viral last week about a Prospect Heights tattoo artist who gave his elderly dog some ink while he was still under anesthesia from an unrelated surgery, State Senator Marty Golden and Assemblywoman Nicole Malliotakis have reintroduced a 2012 bill to ban animal piercings and tattoos statewide.

A joint press release issued by the Republican lawmakers directly attributed the bill’s revival to the New York Post news story about Mistah Metro.

“Animals should not undergo cosmetic surgeries, tattoos and piercing, not only because it is cruel, but general anesthesia puts them at a tremendous health risk. Seeing this practice become more and more common is incredibly disturbing. These animals can not give consent and end up suffering from the pain of recovery and possible infection, or post-surgery complications,” said Malliotakis in the release.

The dog in the Post story was under general anesthesia because it was having its spleen removed. The tattoo artist said he received the veterinarian’s blessing to do the artwork. But pet piercings and tattoos smack of abuse, the pols argued.

“As an owner of two dogs, I am horrified by how people mistreat animals that have long have been rightly named ‘man’s best friend’. Tattooing a dog is a form of abuse, and New York State should not stand for it,” Golden said.

Malliotakis first introduced the bill in 2012 after viewing “Pet Crazy,” a 20/20 segment about pet owners who tattoo and pierce their animals.