STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Calling the practice “odd” and nothing more than “animal cruelty,” Assemblywoman Nicole Malliotakis has introduced legislation that would establish a misdemeanor charge for owners who subject pets to piercings, tattoos and certain other cosmetic surgeries.  Malliotakis (R-East Shore/Brooklyn) says she was driven to address the practice after viewing “Pet Crazy,” a documentary about such behavior on “20/20.”

“I was sickened after seeing the images of dogs with tattoos and piercings through their eyebrows and noses. While the psychological effects on these animals is an area of debate, the fact remains that most of these procedures require an application of general anesthesia which poses a health risk in itself,” said Malliotakis in a press release. “The animal must then go through the pain of recovery and possible infection, or post-surgery complications. These non-medical cosmetic procedures are not just odd and unnecessary, they amount to animal cruelty.”  Read full story……