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History
- Referred to agriculture
- Delivered to assembly
- Passed senateVote 60–1
- Advanced to third reading
- 2nd report cal.
- 1st report cal.76
- Referred to agriculture
- Returned to senate
- Died in assembly
- Referred to agriculture
- Delivered to assembly
- Passed senateVote 61–1
Show 4 earlier actions
- Advanced to third reading
- 2nd report cal.
- 1st report cal.1180
- 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 penalty for multiple convictions of torturing or failing to provide sustenance to an animal
In Assembly Committee · Agriculture · Sponsor Amy Paulin
Full text
The text isn't available here yet. Check nysenate.gov.
Sponsor's memo
BILL NUMBER:S3451
Title of bill
An act to amend the agriculture and markets law, in relation to increasing the penalty for multiple convictions of torturing or failing to provide sustenance to an animal
Purpose or general idea of bill
To prevent animal abuse by raising the penalty for subsequent acts of cruelty which occur within five years of a conviction of this section to an E felony when such cruelty is perpetrated against an animal
Summary of specific provisions
Section one amends the opening paragraph of section three hundred fifty-three of the agriculture and markets law by adding language that would make any violation of this section within five years from the date of a prior conviction of any violation of this section a felony. A defendant convicted of this offense shall be sentenced pursuant to paragraph b of subdivision one of section 55.10 of the penal law, provided, however, that any term of imprisonment imposed for a violation of this section shall be a definite sentence, which may not exceed two years.
Section two defines the effective date as the first of December following the enactment date.
Justification
Preventing those who abuse animals from committing similar acts in the future is one of the purposes of New York's cruelty laws. Raising the penalty to a felony for subsequent acts of cruelty that occur within five years of a conviction will help law enforcement curb such activities and allow for the imposition of lengthier periods of court supervision or imprisonment, as deemed appropriate. Moreover, cruelty toward animals has been linked to future violence toward human victims, particularly vulnerable people such as domestic partners and children. Treating repeat offenses of animal cruelty as felonies is consonant with the goal of preventing future violence toward human and animal victims.
Legislative history
S.1853 referred to Agriculture in 2011 and 2012. S.4963-A referred to Agriculture in 2009 and 2010.
Fiscal implications
None.
Effective date
The first of December following the date of enactment.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.