Chairman THE SENATE Albany Office:
Social Services STATE OF NEW YORK 803 Legislative office Building
Albany, New York 12147
Committees: (5181 455-2181
Banks
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- it .*...-;tl District Office:
Children and Families
Codes
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636 Plank Road #205
Clifton Park. New York 12065
Crime Victims. Crime and Correction 15181 885-1829
‘AMES N TEDISCO Fax (5181 371-2649
Elections
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Environmental Conservation •t UI
Fulton county Office Building
Libraries Select Committee 223 West Main Street. Rm. B2
lohnstown, New York 2095
1518) 762-3733
Fax 1518) 162-3721
December 13, 2018
E-Mail: tedisco@nysenate.gov
The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo Website: ‘nv.tedisco.nysenate.gov
Executive Chamber
State Capitol
Albany, NY 12224
Dear Governor Cuomo:
During your tenure as Governor, you have been an outstanding animal advocate for enacting laws
to help our four-legged friends, who are part of many of our families. I have seen the pictures of your
beautiful dog, Captain, and can tell how important he is to you and your family, just as my Corgi Gracie
is to mine.
I’m sure you can imagine how scary it would be if your dog was involved in just one minor
altercation with another dog and its owner and was ordered by a court to be euthanized.
That’s what happened in October to Luna, a 6-year-old Troy mix-breed dog. While the altercation
involved was considered minor, the City of Troy at the time had a very strict ordinance on “dangerous
dogs” that mandates a dog be put down after just one bite, regardless of the severity. The owner of the
other dog opposes Luna being euthanized.
Following widespread public outcry over this local law, last week the Troy City Council
unanimously voted to change the city’s dog ordinance to ensure that a dog does not have to be euthanized
after one bite. Troy Mayor Patrick Madden has signed the bill into law. However, this new local law is
not retroactive, which means Luna’s life is still in jeopardy.
The Mohawk Hudson Humane Society (MHHS), which currently has custody of Luna, is trying
to fight the order to euthanize Luna in court, but these proceedings may drag on for months at a huge cost
to taxpayers in terms of caring and housing Luna as well as in legal expenses. MHHS says that “during
her stay at the Humane Society, they have seen no evidence of aggression to animals or people. Luna has
been extremely well-behaved and affectionate while in our care.”
MHHS reached out tome in light of my longstanding advocacy on animal cruelty legislation and
related issues and asked me to write to you in the hope that you would use your constitutional power to
pardon the dog’s owner, Cade Saba, on the dangerous dog violation, thereby sparing Luna’s life.
The professionals who assess dogs for adoption have evaluated Luna and determined she is not a
dangerous dog. I’ve seen Luna first-hand, and she is a sweet and loving dog. It would be an injustice if
the court order to put Luna down was carried out, particularly now that the city has changed its local law
to prevent a situation like this from happening ever again. I hope you can help provide a Christmas
miracle and grant a pardon to Luna’s owner so this beautiful dog can be home for the holidays, where her
adoring family and so many people in the Capital Region want her to be. Thank you for your
consideration.
Sincerely
Senator James N. Tedisco
E-Mail: tedisco@nysenate.gov Website: www.tedisco.nysenate.gov
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