What's happening
This bill prohibits individuals convicted under "Buster's Law" from owning pets unless a court authorizes it after psychological evaluation.
Why it matters
Targets repeat animal abusers. By requiring a psychological evaluation and court approval before regaining pet ownership rights, the bill aims to prevent individuals with a history of severe animal cruelty from repeating harmful behavior.
Raises the standard for regaining pet ownership. The requirement for "clear and convincing evidence" of mental capacity sets a high bar, making it difficult for offenders to easily regain the privilege to own or care for animals.
Shifts burden onto the convicted individual. The responsibility to prove fitness for pet ownership falls entirely on the person convicted under Buster’s Law, rather than on authorities to monitor or restrict them.
May impact animal welfare and public safety. By imposing stricter controls, the bill seeks to reduce the risk of future abuse, potentially protecting both animals and communities from individuals prone to violence or neglect.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Ban Animal Ownership for Abusers
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
3 Co-sponsors
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.
Ban Animal Ownership for Abusers
In Senate Committee · Agriculture · Sponsor James Tedisco
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
664
2025-2026 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY (Prefiled)
January 8, 2025
Introduced by M. of A. ROSENTHAL, COLTON -- read once and referred to the Committee on Agriculture
AN ACT to amend the agriculture and markets law, in relation to limiting the ownership or possession of companion animals by persons convicted of violating "Buster's Law"
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 is amended by adding a new subdivision 4 to read as follows:
4. On and after the effective date of this subdivision, no person who is convicted of a violation of this section shall own or possess a companion animal unless and until authorized by a court order issued by a county court judge of such convicted person's county of residence. No such order shall be issued until such convicted person first demonstrates to the court that such convicted person has undergone psychiatric or psychological testing, the results of which indicate by clear and convincing evidence of such convicted person's capable and sound mental capacity and ability to own and properly care for such an animal in a humane manner.
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the thirtieth day after it shall have become a law.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD02633-02-5
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.