Please support the enactment of a bill to be known as Buoy's Law, which would require veterinarians to notify pet owners of potential risks and side effects of medication prior to prescribing medication to an animal.

The text of the bill, which was introduced by NYS Senator John Brooks, and is co-sponsored by NYS Assemblyman Steve Englebright (D), is available here: 

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2021/A4978 

The bill passed unanimously in the Senate on February 9, 2021, and is now sitting in the NYS Assembly's Higher Education Committee. 

The more than 7000 people who have liked our Facebook Page (Support Buoy's Law: https://www.facebook.com/buoyslaw/ are asking: WHY ISN'T THIS ALREADY A LAW?  

While a medical doctor is obviously required to warn a human patient of a medication’s potential side effects, there is currently no such obligation for a veterinarian to warn a pet owner. This bill, if enacted, would fill that gap in the law.

Buoy was my family’s three-year old yellow lab. As alleged in our lawsuit against the veterinary hospital where Buoy underwent knee surgery, Buoy was prescribed with a pain killer (Rimadyl) after his surgery, and we were not provided with any warning whatsoever that this medication was well-known to cause serious adverse side effects in dogs, including kidney damage and death. Buoy suffered acute kidney failure as a result of taking Rimadyl, and underwent several weeks of dialysis treatments in an attempt to save his life. Buoy’s condition did not improve, and, therefore, we had to arrange for him to be euthanized.

Buoy’s Law would fill the gap in the law that allowed Rimadyl to be prescribed to Buoy without any warning of its dangers, and the law has the potential to save the lives of many of our beloved pets. 

We would greatly appreciate your support.

Most sincerely,

Mary Kate Tischler & Family