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Who cares
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Sponsors
8 Co-sponsors
History
- Referred to agriculture
- Referred to agriculture
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Provides for an increase in criminal penalties for acts of cruelty to animals
In Senate Committee · Agriculture · Sponsor David J. Valesky
Full text
The text isn't available here yet. Check nysenate.gov.
Sponsor's memo
BILL NUMBER:A239
Title of bill
An act to amend the agriculture and markets law, in relation to penalties for cruelty to animals
Purpose
To increase the penalties for those who are cruel to animals.
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:Section 1 amends section 353 of the Agriculture and Markets Law by stating that a violation of the section (done with negligence or done recklessly) is punishable as a class A misdemeanor. An intentional violation of this section is punishable as a Class E felony. Section 2 amends subdivision 3 of section 353-a of the Agricul- ture and Markets Law pertaining to aggravated cruelty to animals. This bill would make it a violation of this section punishable as a class D felony, as defined in the Penal Law. Section 3 establishes an effective date.
Justification
Currently, a violation of the Agriculture and Markets Law section 353 is punishable as a misdemeanor, and a violation of section 353-a, subdivision 3 is punishable as a felony with a term of imprison- ment not to exceed two years.
Recently, a Syracuse-area case dealing with a particularly vicious kill- ing of a cat caused a number of citizens, including the judge in the case, to call for tougher penalties for those who harm animals. This legislation seeks to improve the statutes by ensuring that those who harm animals are given a stiffer and more appropriate sentence.
Legislative history
A7964A of 2007-2008.
Fiscal implications
None.
Effective date
On the first November next succeeding the date on which it shall have become law.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.