Bill > A00850

This bill establishes two new criminal offenses related to animal cruelty used as a method of threatening or harassing family or household members. Specifically, the bill creates two degrees of "cruelty to animals to threaten, intimidate or harass": a second-degree offense (a class D felony) and a first-degree offense (a class C felony). In the second-degree offense, a person commits the crime by intentionally injuring or killing a companion animal belonging to a family or household member with the intent to threaten or intimidate that person. The first-degree offense is similar but occurs specifically in the presence of a minor child under 18 years old. The bill defines "family or household member" by referencing existing social services law and "companion animal" by referencing agriculture and markets law. For the first-degree offense, the bill further clarifies that "presence" means the child is physically present and able to see or hear the act. The goal of this legislation appears to be protecting victims of domestic violence by creating specific criminal penalties for perpetrators who harm pets as a means of intimidation or emotional abuse.

Housing and Urban Affairs

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A850