What's happening
This bill expands aggravated cruelty to animals to apply to all animals, not just companion animals, in New York law.
Why it matters
Broader animal protection. By expanding the definition of “aggravated cruelty” from just companion animals (like pets) to all animals, this bill would make it a felony to commit certain extreme acts of cruelty against any animal, including farm animals, wildlife, and strays.
Potential for increased prosecutions. Prosecutors would have new grounds to charge individuals with felony aggravated cruelty in cases that previously were limited only to pets, potentially increasing the number and types of cruelty cases that could result in serious criminal penalties.
Impacts on agriculture and industry. The change could have significant effects on farming, research, and other industries involving animals, requiring these sectors to ensure their practices do not fall under the broadened definition of aggravated cruelty.
Reflects changing societal values. The bill signals a shift towards recognizing the welfare of all animals, not just pets, as a legal and moral priority, which could influence future animal welfare laws and policy debates in New York.
Albany, before your first meeting.
Every bill that moved yesterday, summarized in a sentence and ranked by impact. The Albany Scorecard follows on Sundays.
Free. Unsubscribe in one click. Want alerts on specific bills? Create an account.
Who cares
Headline styles
Expand Animal Cruelty Laws
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to agriculture
- 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.
Expand Animal Cruelty Protections
In Assembly Committee · Agriculture · Sponsor Nicole Malliotakis
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
6186
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
May 11, 2017
Introduced by Sen. LANZA -- 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 aggravated cruelty to animals
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Subdivision 1 of section 353-a of the agriculture and markets law, as added by chapter 118 of the laws of 1999, is amended to read as follows:
1. A person is guilty of aggravated cruelty to animals when, with no justifiable purpose, he or she intentionally kills or intentionally causes serious physical injury to [a companion] an animal with aggravated cruelty. For purposes of this section, "aggravated cruelty" shall mean conduct which: (i) is intended to cause extreme physical pain; or (ii) is done or carried out in an especially depraved or sadistic manner.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD06914-01-7
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 aggravated cruelty to animals
Purpose
The purpose of this bill is to broaden the existing statute regarding aggravated cruelty to animals to cover all animals, rather than just "companion animals".
Summary of provisions
Section 1 amends § 353-a of the agriculture and markets law by replacing "a companion animals" with "an animal".
Justification
350 of the agriculture and markets law defines a "companion animal" as any dog or cat, or any other domesticated animal normally maintained in or near the household of the owner or person who cares for such other domesticated animal. This means that wild animals and farm animals do not currently receive this protection. Animals killed by hunters, animals killed in emergency situations, and livestock would not be affected by this legislation because the existing law only covers conduct "with no justifiable purpose." This language is not altered by this legislation.
Fiscal impact
None.
Legislative history
2017:S.6186- Referred to Agriculture/A.4850- Referred to Agriculture 2016:S.5116- Referred to Agriculture/A.5506- Referred to Agriculture
Effective date
Immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.