People of New York City!! PLEASE take a moment to google the city you live in and find out who the representative is (senator for Senate bills and assembly member for assembly bills) then call the rep’s office and say you are a constituent (important because politicians care about votes) ask the senator/assembly member to vote in favor of the bill. When you call please be polite and professional.
Below are some of the animal-related bills that, according to a newsletter that was sent out on April 12, are currently pending in New York:
“A” means it’s a bill in the Assembly; “S” means it’s a bill in the Senate.
-New York A534 defines “aggravated” animal cruelty as causing extreme physical pain or done in an especially depraved or sadistic manner, a Class E felony. It would make the commission of aggravated cruelty in the presence of a child a Class D felony. The bill is in the Codes Committee.
-New York A944 and S1795 would criminalize knowingly causing a minor to attend a place where exhibition of animal fighting is being conducted. A944 is in the Agriculture Committee. S1795 passed the Senate, died in the Assembly, and was referred back to the Senate Agriculture Committee for a third reading.
-New York AB 3443 would authorize a guardian ad litem to be appointed by a court in tort causes of action for wrongful injury or death of a companion animal. It would also allow restraining orders and other injunctive relief for the wrongful injury or killing of a companion animal. The bill is in the Judiciary Committee.
-New York A346 and S6919 would create a statewide task force to study how to improve investigations of animal abuse and enforcement of anti-cruelty laws. The bills are in the Agriculture Committees.
-New York A1596 and S2936 would expand the definition of aggravated cruelty to animals to include harm to animals during the commission of a felony. A1596 is in the Agriculture Committee. S2936 passed the Senate on March 7 and was sent to the Assembly Agriculture Committee.
-New York A1445 and S1174 would increase penalties for animal fighting and aggravated cruelty to animals and would require a psychiatric evaluation for defendants convicted of aggravated cruelty. The bills are in the Agriculture Committees.
-New York A1673 and S814 would require unsealing of court records that juvenile offenders convicted of animal cruelty offenses and require them to undergo psychiatric evaluation and treatment where necessary. The bills are in the Agriculture Committees.
-New York A5082 would require anyone mandated to report suspected child abuse who also encounters suspected animal abuse in the course of their duties to make an immediate report to local police or SPCA agencies. Failure to report would be a Class A misdemeanor and civilly liable. An extensive list of medical, social work, therapy, education, camp, day care, counseling and law enforcement professionals are mandated reporters of child abuse. The bill is in the Social Services Committee. This is a BIG one!
-New York’s SB 6659 and AB9346 would change language regarding reporting of suspected animal abuse from “the veterinarian may report” to the appropriate law-enforcement agency to “shall report.” The bills are in the Higher Education Committee. Another big one!
-New York A1265 would create the crime of companion animal hoarding. The bill is in the Assembly Agriculture Committee. This one’s really interesting; it would make hoarding an actual crime.
