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S1137Senate2017-2018 SessionSame asA8712

Raise Animal Abandonment Fine

Official title

“Increases the maximum fine for the misdemeanor of abandonment of animals to $2,000”

Sponsor Carl L. MarcellinoSD-5+2 co-sponsorsAffects Economy
Status
In Assembly Committee
Agriculture
Impact
3/10
Low
Passage
0%

Bill progress

Step 5 of 7

In Assembly · Agriculture

What's happening

This bill increases the maximum fine for abandoning animals in New York from $1,000 to $2,000.

Why it matters

  1. Doubling the maximum fine for animal abandonment signals a stronger stance on animal welfare. this could deter individuals from abandoning pets by making the financial consequences more serious.

  2. Increased penalties may encourage better reporting and enforcement. of animal abandonment cases, as higher fines can provide more incentive for authorities and communities to take action.

  3. The law’s updated language (e.g., gender-inclusive terms and clarity on what constitutes abandonment). reflects an effort to modernize and clarify animal protection statutes, potentially making it easier to prosecute offenders.

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Who cares

Headline styles

Raise Animal Abandonment Fine

Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.

Sponsors

Primary sponsor
Carl L. Marcellino

Senator · Senate District 5

Chair, Education

History

  1. Referred to agriculture
  2. Delivered to assembly
  3. Passed senateVote 60–1
  4. Advanced to third reading
  5. 2nd report cal.
  6. 1st report cal.492
  7. Referred to agriculture
  8. Returned to senate
  9. Died in assembly
  10. Referred to agriculture
  11. Delivered to assembly
  12. Passed senateVote 61–1
Show 4 earlier actions
  1. Advanced to third reading
  2. 2nd report cal.
  3. 1st report cal.933
  4. 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.

A8712Assembly

Increase Animal Abandonment Fine

In Assembly Committee · Agriculture · Sponsor Fred Thiele

Impact 3 · Low0% to pass

Full text

1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗

STATE OF NEW YORK

1137

2017-2018 Regular Sessions

IN SENATE

January 6, 2017

Introduced by Sen. MARCELLINO -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Agriculture

AN ACT to amend the agriculture and markets law, in relation to increasing the punishment for the abandonment of animals

The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:

Section 1. Section 355 of the agriculture and markets law, as amended by chapter 458 of the laws of 1985, is amended to read as follows:

§ 355. Abandonment of animals. A person being the owner or possessor, or having charge or custody of an animal, who abandons such animal, or leaves it to die in a street, road or public place, or who allows such animal, if it [become] becomes disabled, to lie in a public street, road or public place more than three hours after he or she receives notice that it is left disabled, is guilty of a misdemeanor, punishable by imprisonment for not more than one year, or by a fine of not more than [one] two thousand dollars, or by both.

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

EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets

[ ] is old law to be omitted.

LBD05959-01-7

Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.

Sponsor's memo

Title of bill

An act to amend the agriculture and markets law, in relation to increasing the punishment for the abandonment of animals

Purpose

This legislation would increase the punishment for the abandonment of animals.

Summary of provisions

Section 355 of the agriculture and markets law, as amended by chapter 458 of the laws of 1985, is amended to increase the punishment for the abandonment of animals from not more than one year of imprisonment and or up to a $1000, to up to one year's imprisonment and/or up to a $2000 fine.

Justification

Every day, too many animal owners, move away from their residences and leave their pet behind or simply abandon an animal because they do not want to and or cannot afford to take care of them any longer. These animals are not equipped to survive on their own. Many are fertile, and continue to breed and perpetuate the problem by creating more homeless animals. Abandoned, these animals starve or freeze to death, spread disease, or are killed by other animals. This is a serious problem that warrants serious punishment for such a heinous act. This legislation would increase the crime for the abandonment of animals.

Legislative history

S.410 of 2015/16

Fiscal implications

None.

Effective date

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

Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.