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New York To Allow Pets On Public Transit During Evacuations

WAMC photo by Dave Lucas

New York state will now allow people to take pets on any kind of public transportation when evacuating during an emergency.

Officials say the new policy ensures residents don't have to choose between their companion animal and their personal safety during hurricanes or other disasters.

Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed the change into law on Tuesday.

Under the law, restrictions on taking animals on public transit will only be lifted during formal evacuations.

The governor called the new policy "humane" and "common sense."

Cuomo's office noted that during Superstorm Sandy, people who refused to evacuate because of their pets had to later be rescued.

© AP 2018

Dave Lucas is WAMC’s Capital Region Bureau Chief. Born and raised in Albany, he’s been involved in nearly every aspect of local radio since 1981. Before joining WAMC, Dave was a reporter and anchor at WGY in Schenectady. Prior to that he hosted talk shows on WYJB and WROW, including the 1999 series of overnight radio broadcasts tracking the JonBenet Ramsey murder case with a cast of callers and characters from all over the world via the internet. In 2012, Dave received a Communicator Award of Distinction for his WAMC news story "Fail: The NYS Flood Panel," which explores whether the damage from Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee could have been prevented or at least curbed. Dave began his radio career as a “morning personality” at WABY in Albany.
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