Bill > S01562

This bill makes several key modifications to New York's agriculture and markets law, focusing on animal welfare and ownership restrictions. First, it establishes new restrictions for individuals convicted under "Buster's Law" (which relates to animal cruelty), requiring that such individuals can only regain the right to own a companion animal after obtaining a court order. To receive this order, the convicted person must undergo psychiatric or psychological testing and demonstrate clear evidence of mental capacity and ability to humanely care for an animal. The bill also changes the legal definition of "farm animal" by removing horses from this category, and simultaneously introduces a new definition of "equine companion" to describe horses used for recreational purposes like racing, jumping, showing, or rehabilitation. These changes aim to provide more nuanced legal protections and classifications for different types of animals, with a particular focus on preventing animal abuse by individuals with a history of animal cruelty. The bill will take effect 30 days after becoming law.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S1562