S T A T E O F N E W Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________
2881
2023-2024 Regular Sessions
I N A S S E M B L Y
January 31, 2023
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Introduced by M. of A. LUPARDO -- read once and referred to the Commit-
tee on Agriculture
AN ACT to amend the agriculture and markets law, in relation to requir-
ing property owners and lessors of certain properties that have been
vacated to inspect such property for abandoned animals
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Section 373 of the agriculture and markets law is amended
by adding a new subdivision 2-a to read as follows:
2-A. A. NOTWITHSTANDING SECTIONS THIRTEEN HUNDRED SEVEN AND NINETEEN
HUNDRED SEVENTY-ONE OF THE REAL PROPERTY ACTIONS AND PROCEEDINGS LAW OR
ANY OTHER PROVISION OF LAW TO THE CONTRARY, THE PROPERTY OWNER OR LESSOR
OF PROPERTY THAT HAS BEEN VACATED AS A RESULT OF AN EVICTION, PROPERTY
FORECLOSURE, FORFEITURE OR DEFAULT ON A MORTGAGE, TRUST DEED OR LAND
SALES CONTRACT, OR ABANDONMENT, OR SUCH PROPERTY OWNER OR LESSOR'S
DESIGNEE, SHALL, NOT MORE THAN THREE DAYS AFTER A PROPERTY OWNER OR A
LESSOR KNEW OR SHOULD HAVE KNOWN THAT A PROPERTY HAS BEEN VACATED,
INSPECT THE PROPERTY FOR THE PRESENCE OF ABANDONED ANIMALS. IF THE PROP-
ERTY OWNER, LESSOR, OR DESIGNEE ENCOUNTERS AN ANIMAL WHICH APPEARS TO BE
ABANDONED ON SUCH PROPERTY, SUCH OWNER, LESSOR, OR DESIGNEE SHALL IMME-
DIATELY NOTIFY THE DOG CONTROL OFFICER, THE POLICE, OR AGENT OR OFFICER
OF A DULY INCORPORATED SOCIETY FOR THE PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO ANIMALS
ABOUT SUCH ENCOUNTER, FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROMPTLY RETRIEVING OR PROVID-
ING NECESSARY CARE FOR SUCH ANIMAL AT THE PROPERTY UNTIL THE ANIMAL CAN
BE RETRIEVED. THE PROPERTY OWNER, LESSOR, OR DESIGNEE WHO ENCOUNTERS AN
ABANDONED ANIMAL PURSUANT TO THIS PARAGRAPH SHALL NOT BE DEEMED THE
OWNER, POSSESSOR OR PERSON HAVING CHARGE OR CUSTODY OF THE ANIMAL.
B. A PROPERTY OWNER OR LESSOR, OR SUCH PROPERTY OWNER OR LESSOR'S
DESIGNEE, WHO FAILS TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF PARAGRAPH A OF
THIS SUBDIVISION SHALL BE SUBJECT TO A CIVIL PENALTY OF NOT MORE THAN
FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS FOR A FIRST OFFENSE AND NOT MORE THAN ONE THOUSAND
EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD05017-01-3
A. 2881 2
DOLLARS FOR A SECOND OFFENSE AND EACH SUBSEQUENT OFFENSE THEREAFTER.
FUNDS COLLECTED PURSUANT TO THIS SUBDIVISION SHALL BE DEPOSITED INTO THE
ANIMAL POPULATION CONTROL FUND ESTABLISHED PURSUANT TO SECTION NINETY-
SEVEN-XX OF THE STATE FINANCE LAW.
C. NOTHING IN THIS SECTION SHALL BE CONSTRUED TO LIMIT OR RESTRICT IN
ANY WAY AGENTS OR OFFICERS OF SOCIETIES FOR THE PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO
ANIMALS OR THE POLICE FROM ENFORCING PROVISIONS OF THIS ARTICLE OR ANY
OTHER LAW RELATING TO ABANDONMENT OF ANIMALS OR THE INHUMANE TREATMENT
OF OR CRUELTY TO ANIMALS.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.