File #: Int 1255-2025    Version: * Name: Prohibiting calf roping and the use of electric prods and flank straps in connection with rodeos.
Type: Introduction Status: Committee
Committee: Committee on Health
On agenda: 4/24/2025
Enactment date: Law number:
Title: A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to prohibiting calf roping and the use of electric prods and flank straps in connection with rodeos
Sponsors: Robert F. Holden
Council Member Sponsors: 1
Summary: This bill would prohibit all forms of calf roping as well as the use of electric prods and flank straps in connection with rodeos.
Attachments: 1. Summary of Int. No. 1255, 2. Int. No. 1255, 3. April 24, 2025 - Stated Meeting Agenda

Int. No. 1255

 

By Council Member Holden

 

A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to prohibiting calf roping and the use of electric prods and flank straps in connection with rodeos

 

Be it enacted by the Council as follows:

 

Section 1. Chapter 21 of title 17 of the administrative code of the city of New York, as added by local law number 92 for the year 2022, is redesignated chapter 22 of such title, and sections 17-2101 to 17-2107 of such code, as added by such local law, are redesignated sections 17-2201 to 17-2207, respectively.

§ 2. Title 17 of the administrative code of the city of New York is amended by adding a new chapter 23 to read as follows:

CHAPTER 23

ANIMALS IN RODEOS

§ 17-2301 Definitions. For the purposes of this section, the following terms have the following meanings:

Calf roping. The term “calf roping” means capturing a calf with any rope around the neck, whether or not the roper also binds the calf’s feet and whether or not the rope is rigged to break away from the roper’s saddle when tension is applied.

Electric prod. The term “electric prod” means a handheld device used to stimulate an animal to move by administering an electric shock.

Flank strap. The term “flank strap" means a strap or rope which is cinched around the abdomen, rib cage, or genitals of a horse or bull to stimulate such animal to buck or to induce such animal to buck in a particular manner.

Rodeo. The term “rodeo” means any performance, competition, or exhibition in which skills traditionally associated with hired hands in the western United States who tend cattle and perform duties on horseback such as, but not limited to, riding bulls or broncos and roping animals, are performed.

§ 17-2302 Prohibitions during rodeos. a. No person shall engage in calf roping in connection with a rodeo.

b. No person shall use a flank strap on any animal in connection with a rodeo.

c. No person shall use an electric prod on any animal in connection with a rodeo.

§ 17-2303 Violation; penalty. Any person with operational control over a rodeo who violates or causes or allows another person to violate any provision of this chapter or any rule promulgated thereunder shall be liable to pay a civil penalty of not more than $10,000 for each such violation.

§ 3. This local law takes effect 180 days after it becomes law. This local law shall not be applied in a manner that interferes with any contract or agreement entered into before such effective date.

LH

LS #18950

4/10/2025