Increases killing or injuring a police animal from class A misdemeanor to class D felony

8 Co-sponsors

• John A. DeFrancisco
• John J. Flanagan
• Charles J. Fuschillo Jr.
• Martin J. Golden
• William J. Larkin Jr.
• Betty Little
• Stephen M. Saland
• James L. Seward

BILL NUMBER:S518

Title of bill

An act to amend the penal law, in relation to killing or injuring a police animal

Purpose

To include emergency vehicles among vehicles or premises where an animal can be reasonably identified as a police animal.

Summary of provisions

Section 195.06 of the penal law is amended to include emergency vehicles alongside police vehicles as vehicles on which an animal can reasonably be identified as police animals.

Justification

State and local law enforcement agencies and emergency services have increasingly relied on the use of dogs for assistance in crime solving, rescue and recovery operations. These animals serve the people of New York State through the use of their keen senses. In addition, State and local police and the emergency services invest a great deal of time and resources in the training of these crime and recovery assistants. The loss or injury of a police animal is not only a loss to the police or emergency services department but also the citizens of New York.

Bill history

S.4701 of 1997/1998; Referred to Senate Codes Committee S.4448 of 1999/2000; Referred to Senate Codes Committee S.1901/A.1369 of 2001/2002; Referred to Senate Codes Committee S.561/A.1615 of 2003/2004; Passed Senate S.701-A/A.296-A 2005/2006; Passed Senate 253-A of 2007/2008; Passed Senate S.1403 of 2009/2010; Referred to Senate Codes Committee

Fiscal implications

None.

Effective date

This act shall take effect on the first of November next succeeding the date on which it shall have become a law.