What's happening
This bill amends the law on aggravated cruelty to animals by removing the requirement that the injury be "serious."
Why it matters
Expands the scope of what qualifies as aggravated cruelty to animals. by removing the requirement that the physical injury be “serious”—this means actions causing any physical injury (not just the most severe) can now trigger felony-level charges if done with aggravated cruelty.
Potentially increases accountability and legal consequences. for individuals who inflict pain or injury on companion animals in a depraved or sadistic manner, even if the harm does not result in life-threatening or permanent damage.
May act as a stronger deterrent. against animal abuse by lowering the threshold for prosecution under the aggravated cruelty statute, signaling a broader commitment to animal welfare and stricter enforcement.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Tougher Animal Cruelty Penalties
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
1 Co-sponsor
1 Multi-sponsor
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.
Toughen Animal Cruelty Laws
In Senate Committee · Rules · Sponsor Liz Krueger
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
757
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
January 10, 2019
Introduced by M. of A. L. ROSENTHAL, WEPRIN -- Multi-Sponsored by -- M. of A. HEVESI -- 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 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.
LBD02461-01-9
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.