Prohibits tail docking of cattle

Bill A 186 prohibits the tail docking of cattle by making it a misdemeanor to cut or alter a cow's tail for docking purposes. It directly affects cattle owners, farmers, and ranchers who may have practiced tail docking for management or aesthetic reasons. The law imposes penalties of up to one year in jail or a $500 fine for violations, and unhealed tail wounds on cattle are considered prima facie evidence of a violation. The bill amends New York's Agriculture and Markets Law to ban this practice immediately upon enactment.