Bill > A07950

This bill amends Section 355 of the agriculture and markets law to update the language regarding animal abandonment, making it a misdemeanor offense. Specifically, the bill modifies the existing law to clarify that a person who owns, possesses, or is responsible for an animal commits a misdemeanor if they abandon the animal, leave it to die in a public place, or fail to address a disabled animal in a public area for more than three hours after being notified of its condition. The penalty for this offense remains a misdemeanor, punishable by up to one year of imprisonment, a fine ranging from $500 to $1,000, or both. The only substantive change is replacing the gendered pronoun "he" with the gender-neutral "such person" in the text, which makes the language more inclusive. The bill aims to strengthen protections for animals by maintaining clear legal consequences for those who abandon or neglect their animals in public spaces.

Agriculture and Natural Resources, Housing and Urban Affairs

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A7950