What's happening
This bill makes stealing a dog or cat from an owner or their property a form of grand larceny in the fourth degree.
Why it matters
Elevates the seriousness of pet theft. by treating the theft of a dog or cat as grand larceny, regardless of the animal’s market value—meaning stealing a pet is on par with stealing much more expensive property in the eyes of the law.
Expands legal protection to pets kept at home or in enclosed yards,. specifically covering animals “harbored” by their owners or custodians, not just those wandering loose or strays.
May act as a deterrent against pet theft. by increasing the potential penalties, signaling that stealing a pet is a significant criminal offense with serious consequences.
Addresses emotional and companionship value of pets,. recognizing that for many people, dogs and cats are more than property—they are family, and their loss can be deeply traumatic.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Make Pet Theft a Felony
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
3 Co-sponsors
History
- Referred to codes
- Referred to codes
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
2553
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
January 23, 2019
Introduced by M. of A. GLICK, COLTON, DINOWITZ, ENGLEBRIGHT -- Multi- Sponsored by -- M. of A. CUSICK, GALEF, GOTTFRIED, LUPARDO, PEOPLES-STOKES -- read once and referred to the Committee on Codes
AN ACT to amend the penal law, in relation to including the theft of dogs and cats within the crime of grand larceny in the fourth degree in certain cases
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Section 155.00 of the penal law is amended by adding a new subdivision 10 to read as follows:
10. "Pet" means a dog or a cat which is harbored by the owner or lawful custodian of such dog or cat in a dwelling or within an enclosure or yard which is contained within the real property boundary line of such dwelling. For purposes of this subdivision, "harbor" means to provide food and shelter to a dog or cat.
§ 2. Section 155.30 of the penal law is amended by adding a new subdivision 8-a to read as follows:
8-a. The property, regardless of its value, consists of a pet which is taken from the person of the owner or of the lawful custodian of such pet, from the dwelling of the owner or lawful custodian of such pet, or from any enclosure or yard contained within the real property boundary line of such dwelling.
§ 3. This act shall take effect on the first of November next succeeding the date on which it shall have become a law.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD05032-01-9
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.