Cuomo OKs ‘no pet left behind’ law
ALBANY — Gov. Cuomo on Tuesday signed law ensuring no pet is left behind during emergency evacuations.
The new law allows New Yorkers forced to evacuate their homes in state of emergencies to bring their pets on public transportation run by the Port Authority, like PATH trains.
They were already permitted to bring their companion animals during emergencies on MTA trains and buses.
“For many New Yorkers, their pets are members of their families, and no one should be forced to abandon them in the event of an evacuation,” Cuomo said. “I'm proud to sign this commonsense, humane legislation to bring comfort to pet owners in times of distress.”
Cuomo said that many pet owners refused to evacuate during superstorm Sandy because they could not take their pets, something that not only jeopardizes the lives of residents and their pets, but also the emergency responders trying to evacuate them.
The law was sponsored by Sen. Andrew Lanza (R-S.I.) and Assemblywoman Linda Rosenthal (D-Manhattan).