What's happening
This bill makes aggravated neglect of a companion animal a felony in New York, punishable by up to two years in prison.
Why it matters
Elevates the seriousness of neglect. By making aggravated neglect of a companion animal a felony, the law treats severe cases of animal neglect with the same gravity as other serious crimes, signaling a strong stance against animal cruelty in New York.
Targets owners who abandon or fail to care. The bill specifically applies to owners who either abandon their companion animals or fail to take reasonable steps to provide adequate care, broadening the scope of who can be held criminally responsible.
Sets clear sentencing limits. The legislation establishes a maximum prison sentence of two years for aggravated neglect, creating a defined punishment that aims to deter severe neglect while clarifying consequences for violators.
Aligns with existing cruelty definitions. The bill uses existing legal definitions for cruelty and abandonment, ensuring consistency in how these terms are applied and interpreted under the new felony provision.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Make Animal Neglect a Felony
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
4 Co-sponsors
4 Multi-sponsors
History
- Referred to agriculture
- Referred to agriculture
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
6482
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
March 7, 2017
Introduced by M. of A. B. MILLER, RA, KEARNS, TITONE, McDONOUGH, GRAF, COLTON -- Multi-Sponsored by -- M. of A. DiPIETRO, GIGLIO, MAGEE, McKEVITT, SIMANOWITZ, THIELE -- read once and referred to the Committee on Agriculture
AN ACT to amend the agriculture and markets law, in relation to aggravated neglect of a companion animal
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The agriculture and markets law is amended by adding a new section 355-a to read as follows:
§ 355-a. Aggravated neglect. 1. An owner shall be liable for aggravated neglect when a companion animal is subjected to cruelty, as defined in section three hundred fifty of this article, and the owner has not taken reasonable steps to locate the animal or provide adequate care. For the purposes of this section the term abandonment shall have the same meaning as supplied in section three hundred fifty-five of this article provided, however that the fine and sentencing guidelines shall be as proscribed herein.
2. Aggravated neglect of companion animals is 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 violation of this section shall be a definite sentence, which may not exceed two years.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD09418-01-7
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.