Relates to removal of raccoons in New York city; requires the New York city department of health and mental hygiene to remove any raccoon upon receiving notice from a member of the public that such a raccoon has created a nuisance on outdoor public or private property and to effectuate humane release thereof.

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S5865-2011 Actions

• Jun 21, 2012: COMMITTED TO RULES
• Mar 22, 2012: ADVANCED TO THIRD READING
• Mar 21, 2012: 2ND REPORT CAL.
• Mar 20, 2012: 1ST REPORT CAL.400
• Mar 12, 2012: PRINT NUMBER 5865A
• Mar 12, 2012: AMEND AND RECOMMIT TO CITIES
• Jan 4, 2012: REFERRED TO CITIES
• Jul 25, 2011: REFERRED TO RULES

S5865-2011 Votes

S5865-2011 Memo

BILL NUMBER:S5865

TITLE OF BILL:
An act
to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to
the removal of raccoons

PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
The legislation will require the New York City Department of Health to
respond to requests for removal of raccoons upon outdoor public or
private property.

SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1 of the bill amends the administrative code of the city of
New York by adding a new section 17-198 that will require the
Department of Health to ensure the prompt removal of any raccoon from
any outdoor public or private property upon receiving a request for
such removal from a member of the public.

Section 2 provides for this act to take effect immediately.

JUSTIFICATION:
Raccoons have become an increasing menace to residents of the city of
New York and their numbers continue to rise. These animals are very
industrious when it comes to foraging For food and create a health
hazard as a result of breaking into locked as well as unlocked
commercial and residential garbage bins and spread waste over wide
areas in their paths. in addition, many of these animals are
aggressive and have posed dangers to citizens and
domesticated animals. This includes the spread of disease since these
animals are common carriers of rabies, canine distemper and the very
dangerous raccoon roundworm (Baylisascaris progonis).

At present, the city provides no assistance to property owners who
find raccoons on their properties, unless the animals are reported as
rabid. 311, as well as the Animal Care and Control, merely suggest
that homeowners call licensed wildlife removal services or licensed
private trappers which cost upwards of $250 and much more to remove a
raccoon from a particular property.

Given the clear health hazard and danger to public safety presented by
these animals, the Department of Health should be required to provide
assistance to property owners who ask to have such animals removed.

PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
New Bill.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:
To be determined.

EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.

S5865-2011 Text

                      S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
  ________________________________________________________________________

                                    5865

                         2011-2012 Regular Sessions

                              I N  SENATE

                                July 25, 2011
                                 ___________

  Introduced  by  Sen.  AVELLA -- read twice and ordered printed, and when
    printed to be committed to the Committee on Rules

  AN ACT to amend the administrative code of the  city  of  New  York,  in
    relation to the removal of raccoons

    THE  PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
  BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:


    Section 1.  The administrative code of the city of New York is amended
  by adding a new section 17-198 to read as follows:

    S 17-198 RACCOON REMOVAL. A. THE DEPARTMENT SHALL  ENSURE  THE  PROMPT
  REMOVAL  OF ANY RACCOON FROM ANY OUTDOOR PUBLIC OR PRIVATE PROPERTY UPON
  RECEIVING A REQUEST FOR SUCH REMOVAL FROM A MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC.
    B. THE DEPARTMENT SHALL COORDINATE THE HUMANE RELEASE OF RACCOONS WITH
  THE DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION,  PROVIDED  THAT  THE  DEPARTMENT
  DEEMS  THE  RELEASE  APPROPRIATE,  IN  ACCORDANCE  WITH THE RULES OF THE
  DEPARTMENT.
    C. THE DEPARTMENT SHALL PROMULGATE SUCH RULES AS MAY BE  NECESSARY  TO
  IMPLEMENT THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION.
    S 2. This act shall take effect immediately.





   EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                        [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                             LBD13280-01-1