Increases certain penalties for violating the prohibition of animal fighting

14 Co-sponsors

• Martin Malavé Dilan
• Thomas K. Duane
• Joseph A. Griffo
• Ruth Hassell-Thompson
• Jeffrey D. Klein
• Liz Krueger
• George D. Maziarz
• Michael F. Nozzolio
• George Onorato
• Suzi Oppenheimer
• Bill Perkins
• Diane J. Savino
• Antoine M. Thompson
• David J. Valesky

BILL NUMBER:S3926A

Title of bill

An act to amend the agriculture and markets law, in relation to increas- ing certain penalties for violating the prohibition of animal fighting

Purpose

To increase the penalties for those convicted of violating the prohibi- tion of animal fighting.

Summary of provisions

Section 351 defines animal fighting.

Section 351 of the agriculture and markets law, as added by chapter 150 of the laws of 1984, subdivision 2 as amended by chapter 190 of the laws of 2004, subdivision 5 as added by chapter 308 of the laws of 2008, is amended to make it a felony punishable by imprisonment for a period not to exceed four years, or by a fine not to exceed twenty five thousand dollars or both imprisonment and fine, for any person who engages in any of the following conduct:

(a) for amusement or gain, causes any animal to engage in animal fight- ing; (b) or trains any animal under circumstances evincing an intent that such animal engage in animal fighting for amusement or gain; (c) or breeds, sells or offers for sale any animal under circumstances evincing an intent that such animal engage in animal fighting; (d) or permits any act described above to occur on premises under his control; (e) or owns, possesses or keeps any animal trained to engage in animal fighting on premises under circumstances evincing an intent that such animal engage in animal fighting; f) or owns, possesses or keeps any such animal under circumstances evincing an intent that such animal engage in animal fighting

This bill makes it a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for a period not to exceed one year, or by a fine not to exceed one thousand dollars, or by both fine and imprisonment, for the knowing presence as a specta- tor at a place where an exhibition of animal fighting is being conducted.

Justification

As news media reports have shown, there appears to be an organized infrastructure for what is a criminal industry. While dog fighting has most been reported, other animals have been and are being used in ille- gal animal fighting.

Legislative history

A.9421 of 2007-2008

Effective date

This bill shall take effect immediately.