What's happening
This bill expands aggravated cruelty to animals to apply to any animal, not just companion animals.
Why it matters
Broadens legal protections to all animals. By expanding aggravated cruelty laws beyond just companion animals (like pets), the bill extends serious legal consequences to cruelty against any animal, including farm animals, wildlife, and animals used in entertainment or research.
Increases potential for prosecution. Law enforcement and prosecutors could pursue aggravated cruelty charges in a wider range of animal abuse cases, potentially leading to more investigations and harsher penalties for offenders.
Signals a societal shift in animal welfare standards. The change reflects growing recognition of animal sentience and the importance of preventing severe suffering, potentially influencing public attitudes and future policy on animal rights.
Could impact industries and practices involving animals. Sectors such as agriculture, laboratory research, and zoos may face greater scrutiny and legal risk if their actions are perceived as intentionally causing extreme pain or suffering to any animal.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Expand Animal Cruelty Protections
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.
Expand Animal Cruelty Protections
In Senate Committee · Domestic Animal Welfare · Sponsor Andrew J. Lanza
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
5722
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 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.
LBD07343-01-9
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.