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Pet piercings, tattoos banned in New York

Posted at 6:56 PM, Dec 15, 2014
and last updated 2014-12-15 19:18:39-05

If you love your pet, you better not put a ring on it.

Or a tattoo.

New York State banned cosmetic piercing or tattoos for pets Monday, except for identification or medical purposes.

Blinging a beagle will be punishable by up to 15 days in jail and a $250 fine.

"This is animal abuse, pure and simple," said New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, in a press release. "I'm proud to sign this common sense legislation and end these cruel and unacceptable practices in New York once and for all."

The bill passed the New York state Assembly and Senate unanimously in June and will go into effect in 120 days.

 

Gavin Stern is a national digital producer for the Scripps National Desk. Follow him on twitter at @GavinStern or email him at gavin.stern@scripps.com.