Senate Bill S1781

                                 
BILL NUMBER: S1781

SPONSOR: CANZONERI-FITZPATRICK
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the agriculture and markets law, in relation to aggra-
vated cruelty to animals

 
PURPOSE:

To help law enforcement hold animal abusers accountable.

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section 1 of the bill amends subdivision 1 of section 353-a if the agri-
culture and markets law regarding the crime of aggravated cruelty to
animals.

Section 2 of the bill provides the effective date.

 
JUSTIFICATION:
              

Horrific acts committed against pets have been reported in New York
State, including cases where animals have been set on fire, stabbed,
hung, beaten, starved, and shot. Sadly, only a small percentage of such
cases result in felony convictions because it is difficult to prove
aggravated cruelty under the current definition of the crime.  Removing
the elements of "especially depraved or sadistic" would not elevate the
existing offense or penalties; however, it would help ensure better
enforcement of the current statute. The law is intended to protect
companion animals from especially depraved acts of violence and to
provide justice for these crimes. Causing intentional, unjustified seri-
ous injury or death is dangerous and violent behavior which should be
treated as such. The elements of "depravity" and "sadism" blur the
significance of these crimes and act as a deterrent to proper and appro-
priate prosecution. This bill seeks to bring greater clarity to cases of
animal cruelty and protect New York State families and communities.

 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

2023-24: S.7317 Referred to Agriculture

2021-22: S.2673 Referred to Agriculture

2019-20: S.1433 Referred to Agriculture

2018: S.7375 Reported to Rules

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

None.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
Immediately.