What's happening
This bill increases penalties for repeat animal cruelty offenders, making subsequent offenses felonies with escalating severity.
Why it matters
Creates a tiered felony system for repeat animal cruelty offenders. The bill establishes escalating felony charges (Class E, D, and C) for those who commit aggravated cruelty or repeated animal cruelty offenses within a ten-year period, making penalties more severe with each subsequent conviction.
Expands what qualifies as aggravated cruelty. The new language defines aggravated cruelty not only by the manner of harm (intentional killing or serious injury with extreme pain or depravity), but also by repeat offenses, broadening the scope of who can be charged under this stricter law.
Signals a legislative shift toward prioritizing animal welfare. By increasing penalties and incorporating repeat-offense provisions, the bill reflects a societal and policy commitment to deterring animal abuse, potentially impacting how law enforcement, prosecutors, and the public view and address animal cruelty cases.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Tougher Penalties for Repeat Cruelty
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Held for consideration in agriculture
- 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.
Increase Animal Cruelty Penalties
In Senate Committee · Domestic Animal Welfare · Sponsor Andrew J. Lanza
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
5644
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
February 14, 2019
Introduced by M. of A. MALLIOTAKIS -- read once and referred to the Committee on Agriculture
AN ACT to amend the agriculture and markets law, in relation to penalties for those committing multiple animal cruelty offenses
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. 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:
§ 353-a. Aggravated cruelty to animals. 1. (a) 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 animal with aggravated cruelty or (b) when he or she commits an offense described in section three hundred fifty-three of this article and has been previously convicted of an offense under such section within the past ten years. 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. Nothing contained in this section shall be construed to prohibit or interfere in any way with anyone lawfully engaged in hunting, trapping, or fishing, as provided in article eleven of the environmental conservation law, the dispatch of rabid or diseased animals, as provided in article twenty-one of the public health law, or the dispatch of animals posing a threat to human safety or other animals, where such action is otherwise legally authorized, or any properly conducted scientific tests, experiments, or investigations involving the use of living animals, performed or conducted in laboratories or institutions approved for such purposes by the commissioner of health pursuant to section three hundred fifty-three of this article.
3. Aggravated cruelty to animals is a felony. A defendant convicted of this offense shall be [sentenced pursuant to paragraph (b) of subdivi-
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD07344-01-9
A. 5644 2
sion 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] guilty of a class E felony; a defendant convicted of an offense under paragraph (a) of subdivision one of this section who has previously been convicted of an offense under section three hundred fifty-three of this article shall be guilty of a class D felony; a defendant convicted of this offense who has previously been convicted of an offense under this section shall be guilty of a class C felony.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
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.