Bill > A05644

This bill amends the Agriculture and Markets Law to establish harsher penalties for individuals who commit multiple animal cruelty offenses. Specifically, it creates a new offense of "aggravated cruelty to animals" when a person has previously been convicted of an animal cruelty offense within the past 10 years. Individuals convicted of this new offense would be guilty of a Class E, D, or C felony, depending on the number of prior convictions. The bill aims to deter repeat offenses of animal cruelty by imposing more severe punishments for those who continue to abuse animals.