Bill > A01432

This bill comprehensively reorganizes and codifies animal cruelty laws by moving existing provisions from the Agriculture and Markets Law to the Penal Law, creating a new Article 280 specifically dedicated to "Offenses Against Animals". The bill provides detailed definitions of terms like "animal", "companion animal", and "animal fighting", and establishes a range of specific offenses with varying degrees of severity, from violations to felonies. These offenses include facilitating animal fighting, overdriving or torturing animals, aggravated cruelty to animals, failure to provide appropriate shelter for dogs, electrocution of fur-bearing animals, confinement of animals in vehicles under extreme temperatures, and many other specific acts of animal mistreatment. The bill also includes provisions for forfeiture of animals in cases of conviction, sets penalties ranging from fines to potential imprisonment, and makes technical amendments to multiple other sections of New York law to reference the new penal code sections. The goal appears to be creating a more comprehensive and clear legal framework for protecting animals from various forms of abuse and neglect, with graduated penalties based on the severity and intent of the offenses.

Housing and Urban Affairs

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A1432