What's happening
This bill increases the maximum fines for failing to provide appropriate shelter to dogs left outdoors in New York State.
Why it matters
Raises the financial stakes for neglecting dogs left outdoors. , making it more costly for owners who fail to provide adequate shelter—this could act as a stronger deterrent and encourage better treatment of animals.
Introduces a tiered penalty system with significantly higher maximum fines for repeated violations. , meaning that owners who habitually neglect their dogs face increasingly severe consequences, potentially reducing repeat offenses.
Allows for daily fines after an initial 72-hour window if violations are not corrected. , which adds ongoing pressure for owners to quickly address shelter deficiencies or risk accumulating substantial penalties.
Signals a legislative prioritization of animal welfare. , suggesting greater societal concern for the humane treatment of pets and potentially influencing broader attitudes and enforcement practices regarding animal care in New York State.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Increase Fines for Neglecting Dogs
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
History
- Referred to agriculture
- Delivered to assembly
- Passed senateVote 59–0
- Advanced to third reading
- 2nd report cal.
- 1st report cal.85
- Referred to agriculture
- Returned to senate
- Died in assembly
- Referred to agriculture
- Delivered to assembly
- Passed senateVote 63–0
Show 4 earlier actions
- Advanced to third reading
- 2nd report cal.
- 1st report cal.323
- 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.
Increase Dog Shelter Penalties
In Assembly Committee · Agriculture · Sponsor Kenneth Zebrowski
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
1509
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 10, 2017
Introduced by Sens. AVELLA, ADDABBO, HOYLMAN, KAMINSKY -- 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 penalties for the failure to provide appropriate shelter to a dog left outdoors
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Paragraph (a) of subdivision 2 of section 353-b of the agriculture and markets law, as added by chapter 594 of the laws of 2003, is amended to read as follows:
(a) Any person who owns or has custody or control of a dog that is left outdoors shall provide it with shelter appropriate to its breed, physical condition and the climate. Any person who knowingly violates the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a violation, punishable by a fine of [not less than] up to two hundred fifty dollars [nor more than one hundred dollars] for a first offense, [and] a fine of [not less than one] up to five hundred dollars [nor more than two hundred fifty dollars] for a second violation and [subsequent offenses] a fine of up to one thousand dollars for a third violation. Beginning seventytwo hours after a charge of violating this section, each day that a defendant fails to correct the deficiencies in the dog shelter for a dog that he or she owns or that is in his or her custody or control and that is left outdoors, so as to bring it into compliance with the provisions of this section shall constitute a separate offense.
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the thirtieth day after it shall have become a law.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD01253-02-7
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 penalties for the failure to provide appropriate shelter to a dog left outdoors
Purpose
This bill will increase the penalties for failure to comply the provisions of the Agriculture and Markets Law that require appropriate shelter for dogs left outdoors.
Summary of provisions
Section 1 of the bill amends section 353-b of the agriculture and markets law, in relation to increasing the penalties for failing to provide appropriate outdoor shelter to a dog. The bill would make the first offense a violation with a fine of two hundred fifty dollars; the second offense a violation with a fine of five hundred dollars and a third offense would be a violation guilty of one thousand dollars. After 72 hours, the continued failure to correct would constitute an additional violation of the law.
Section 2 of the bill relates to the effective date.
Justification
The current law lacks sufficient penalties for the failure to provide adequate shelter for dogs left outdoors. The current penalty, a violation, provides for a fine of $50 to $100 for the first offense, and $100 to $250 for the second offense. This bill would increase the monetary fines that to a more substantial amount, creating a more efficient deterrent to violating the law. This law provides guidance and assurances that dogs are protected while outdoors. This bill will also provide law enforcement with the tools they need to enforce the law.
Legislative history
A8891 of 2013-2014.
Fiscal implications
None.
Effective date
This act shall take effect 30 days after it becomes law.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.