Tedisco Reacts to “Shocking” and “Disturbing” Halfmoon Doggie Day Care Animal Abuse Case: “We Must Strengthen NY’s Animmal Cruelty Laws to Protect Pets and People

Senator Jim Tedisco, one of the legislature’s foremost experts on animal cruelty and neglect laws, today expressed his disgust over the alleged case of felony animal cruelty, neglect and criminal mischief facing the owner of “A Time for Paws” doggy daycare and boarding facility in Halfmoon.

The owner of the facility has been charged under Buster’s felony animal cruelty law with allegedly killing a French bulldog named Gus by leaving him out in the sweltering heat.

Tedisco is sponsoring a bill to increase penalties for violating “Buster’s Law” from the current two years in jail and a $5,000 fine to four years in prison and a $10,000 fine (S.1205), creating a statewide registry of animal abusers (S.1563), and banning those convicted of animal cruelty from owning or possessing a companion animal and ensure abusers receive a psychiatric evaluation (S.1044). He’s also sponsoring “Kirby & Quiqley’s Law” making it an additional felony with 2 years in jail and a $5,000 fine for harming a companion animal in the commission of another crime such as burglary (S.470).

“It’s absolutely heartbreaking what allegedly happened to Gus the French bulldog and how the other dogs were treated at this facility, which should have been providing them with the loving care they deserved, and their owners expected. The extremely disturbing murder of Gus and the neglect and cruelty exhibited in this shocking case highlights the need to strengthen our state’s animal cruelty laws These measures aren’t just about protecting our pets, they’re about keeping all members of our family safe from violence, as research indicates, violence against animals is a bridge crime that can, and has, led to violence against people,” said Senator Jim Tedisco.

Senator Tedisco was the driving force behind passage of the landmark Buster’s Law creating the felony category of "aggravated cruelty to animals," punishable by up to two years in prison and a $5,000 fine.

The FBI has animal cruelty as a top tier Group A offense in its crime reporting statistics due to it being a bridge crime.

“We have an obligation as a government to protect all members of our family, including those who have no voice. Having and working with a companion animal is not a right, it’s a privilege, but our pets and people have a right to be safe from abuse and neglect,” said Senator Tedisco.