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History
- 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.
Increases the penalties for owners of dangerous dogs
In Assembly Committee · Agriculture · Sponsor James Tedisco
Full text
The text isn't available here yet. Check nysenate.gov.
Sponsor's memo
BILL NUMBER:S6059
Title of bill
An act to amend the agriculture and markets law, in relation to increasing penalties for the owners of dangerous dogs
Purpose
The purpose of this bill is to deter violent offenders from purchasing and raising possibly dangerous dogs.
Summary of provisions
Section 1: Amends subdivisions 6, 7 and 8 and adds subdivision 15 to section 123 of the Agricultures and Markets law.
Subdivision 6 is amended to increase penalties from a fine not to exceed $400 to a fine not to exceed $1000.
Subdivision 7 is amended to increase penalties from a fine not to exceed $1000 to a fine not to exceed $5000 while increasing the punishment from a single civil penalty up to a class E felony.
Subdivision 8 is amended to increase the penalty of a dangerous dog injuring an individual from a misdemeanor to a Class E Felony, punishable by a fine up to $5000 and imprisonment for up to two years.
Creates Subdivision 15 which, in the case that the owner of a dangerous dog is found to have previous convictions of violent crimes including rape, assault, sexual assault and robbery, shall be subject to the search and seizure of illegal materials on their persons or personal property.
Justification
In Schenectady, as well as many other cities and communities across the state, we have a problem with gang violence, drugs and sexual assaults. What we are finding is that commonly, owners of these vicious dogs are tied to incidents such as these and have already been previously convicted of violent crimes.
These individuals use dangerous dogs as status symbols and tools of intimidation. They raise these dogs to be violent protectors and when not properly restrained and cared for, these animals can get out and cause serious injury to innocent men, women and children who live in the community.
There also has been a rash of recent attacks by dangerous dog across the State of New York. With Attacks on Long Island, New York City and Rochester, to name a few, this is an issue facing the state as a whole and not anyone specific community.
This bill does not focus on any certain breed of dog but on criminally irresponsible dog owners who create an environment where their dog is taught to be vicious and can attack and harm others.
Effective date
This act shall take effect on the sixteenth day after it becomes law.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.