Murphy stresses fight against animal cruelty in advance of National Love Your Pet Day

JEFFERSON VALLEY, NY - Senator Terrence Murphy has been a long-time advocate for those who cannot speak for themselves, particularly pets and animals. Senator Murphy urges pet lovers to join with him in recognition of National Love Your Pet Day on Saturday, February 20th.

"Animal cruelty is a heinous act, and often leads the perpetrator down a path toward violence against human beings." said Senator Murphy. "National Love Your Pet Day gives owners the opportunity to focus on the special relationship they share with them. It also serves as a reminder that animal cruelty is on the rise in New York State. That is why I sponsored and supported legislation to protect pets and animals that will seek to punish their abusers."
 
In June 2015, Senator Murphy authored a bill increasing the penalty for multiple convictions of torturing, killing or failing to provide sustenance to an animal to a felony for anyone convicted within five years of a previous offense. The measure received overwhelming support, passing in the Senate by a vote of 61-1.
 
"It's important that National Love Your Pet Day recognizes that our pets are like members of the family," said County Legislator Margaret Cunzio, a foster for the SPCA of Westchester in Briarcliff Manor and Second Chance Rescue NYC. "I am proud to be a part of the work Senator Murphy has done and to be a voice for those that do not have one. I encourage everyone to adopt, foster and volunteer to help protect pets throughout the state."
 
"At the SPCA of Westchester, we like to think that every day is Love your Pet Day," said Shannon Laukhuf, Executive Director SPCA.  "As we look forward to extending a little extra tender loving care to our pets on February twentieth, we realize that not every animal is as fortunate as our own. This is why we applaud Senator Murphy for all of his efforts to put legislation in place that strengthen New York's existing animal cruelty laws as well as provide added protection for animals across our state. Ultimately it will make our backyard a safer and more humane place for our animals."
 
A spate of animal cruelty incidents involving a pet shop in Mohegan Lake prompted Senator Murphy to sponsor additional legislation to protect pets and hold those responsible for harming them accountable for their actions. This includes passing a bill that would make it easier to prosecute people causing serious injury to a companion animal (S.4265); legislation that would update animal cruelty laws to promote more consistent enforcement (S.3201) and expands Buster's Law, which would establish a public registry of people convicted of animal cruelty (S.2935).
 
As part of their efforts to help animals, the Jefferson Valley Mall in Yorktown Heights has joined forces with Putnam Humane Society to launch a series of monthly pet adoption events.  Shoppers at the Mall will have the opportunity to meet dozens of cats and dogs in need of good homes. Upcoming adoption event dates include: Sunday, March 13th, Saturday, April 9th and Saturday, May 7th. For more information, contact Alexa O'Rourke, Director of Marketing and Business Development, Jefferson Valley Mall, at 914-245-4200.