What's happening
This bill, known as "Tucker's law," removes the two-year maximum prison sentence for aggravated cruelty to animals in New York.
Why it matters
Removes the two-year cap on prison sentences for aggravated cruelty to animals. , potentially leading to harsher penalties for offenders and signaling that New York takes animal cruelty more seriously.
Aligns sentencing for aggravated animal cruelty with other felony offenses. , allowing judges to impose longer, indeterminate sentences based on the severity of the crime and the specifics of each case.
May act as a stronger deterrent against severe animal abuse. , as the threat of a longer prison term could discourage individuals from engaging in such acts.
Reflects evolving societal values regarding animal welfare. , suggesting that lawmakers and the public believe animal cruelty should be punished more severely, and that animals are deserving of greater legal protection.
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
Defendants convicted of aggravated cruelty to animals
The bill would remove the requirement that any prison sentence be a definite sentence of no more than two years.
Judges and prosecutors handling animal cruelty cases
The bill would leave sentencing under the cited Penal Law provision without the separate two-year limit for this offense.
Animal welfare advocates
The bill would remove the special prison-sentence restriction for aggravated cruelty to animals while retaining its felony status.
Headline styles
Tougher Animal Cruelty Sentencing
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
Assembly Member · Assembly District 111
1 Co-sponsor
History
- Referred to agriculture
- Print number 8157a
- Amend and recommit 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 · Rules · Sponsor Monica Martinez
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
8157--A
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
June 4, 2019
Introduced by M. of A. SANTABARBARA -- read once and referred to the Committee on Agriculture -- committee discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted to said committee
AN ACT to amend the agriculture and markets law, in relation to sentencing for the crime of aggravated cruelty to animals
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. This act shall be known and may be cited as "Tucker's law".
§ 2. Subdivision 3 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:
3. Aggravated cruelty to animals is a felony. A defendant convicted of this offense shall be sentenced pursuant to paragraph (b) of subdivision 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].
§ 3. This act shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth day after it shall have become a law.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD11736-05-9
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.