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Assembly Actions -
Lowercase Senate Actions - UPPERCASE |
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| Jan 03, 2024 |
referred to agriculture |
| Feb 07, 2023 |
referred to agriculture |
Senate Bill S4279
2023-2024 Legislative Session
Promotes understanding, awareness and enforcement of animal crimes laws; repealer
download bill text pdfSponsored By
(R, C, IP, RFM) 24th Senate District
Archive: Last Bill Status - In Senate Committee Agriculture Committee
- Introduced
-
- In Committee Assembly
- In Committee Senate
-
- On Floor Calendar Assembly
- On Floor Calendar Senate
-
- Passed Assembly
- Passed Senate
- Delivered to Governor
- Signed By Governor
Actions
2023-S4279 (ACTIVE) - Details
- See Assembly Version of this Bill:
- A3840
- Current Committee:
- Senate Agriculture
- Law Section:
- Agriculture and Markets Law
- Laws Affected:
- Amd §§350, 365, 369, 371 & 373, rpld §§351, 353, 353-a, 353-b, 353-d, 355, 360, 361 & 362, §374 sub 8, add §385, Ag & Mkts L; add Part 3 Title Q Art 280 §§280.00 - 280.80, §60.22, amd §§70.02, 195.06, 195.11, 195.12 & 265.01, Pen L
- Versions Introduced in Other Legislative Sessions:
-
2011-2012:
A9917
2013-2014: S6261, A775
2015-2016: S3201, A352
2017-2018: S6226, A653
2019-2020: S2623, A634
2021-2022: S4925, A536
2025-2026: A1885
2023-S4279 (ACTIVE) - Sponsor Memo
BILL NUMBER: S4279
SPONSOR: LANZA
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the agriculture and markets law and the penal law, in
relation to promoting understanding, awareness and enforcement of animal
crimes laws; and to repeal sections 351, 353, 353-a, 353-b, 353-d, 355,
360, 361, 362 and subdivision 8 of section 374 of the agriculture and
markets law relating thereto
PURPOSE:
This bill seeks to clarify, modernize, and restructure the animal crimes
laws of New York State. It does so by transplanting certain sections of
the Agriculture and Markets Law into the Penn 1. Law, re-defining statu-
tory terms, re-titling animal crimes offenses, altering the classifica-
tion of certain animal crimes offenses, delineating specific sentencing
provisions for animal, crimp offenses, introducing various new animal
crimes offenses. The bill serves to create a hierarchy of offenses for
charging, plea bargaining, and cross-referencing purposes. It will also
address and rectify the many antiquated passages, vague definitions and
concepts, and outmoded language contained in the current Agriculture and
Markets statutes. Ultimately, the bill will promote sound enforcement and consistent interpretation of animal crimes by members of law enforcement and the court system. SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS: Section one amends Section 350 of the Agriculture and Markets Law by adding Subdivision 6, which provides the definition of an "animal cruel- ty offense;" a term used to help define the scope of various other proposed and existing statutes involving evidence collection, animal disposition, and sentencing. The term also goes beyond enumerated crimes to include any offense by which an animal is victimized (e.g. reckless endangerment of property; criminal mischief). Section one also adds Subdivision 7 to Section 350 of the Agriculture and Markets Law, which provides the definition of a "duly incorporated society for the prevention of cruelty to animals," which is a cross-reference to the provisions providing for the creation and powers of such entity as contained in the not-for-profit corporation law. Section two repeals Sections 351, 353, 353-a, 353-b, 353-d, 355, 360, 361 and 362 of the Agriculture and Markets Law. Variations of Sections 351, 353, 353a,355, 360, 361, and 352 appear in the proposed Penal Law Title 9. Sections 353-b and 353-d are inserted verbatim in the proposed Penal law Title Q. Section three amends Section 365 of the Agriculture and Markets Law. Section four amends Section 369 of the Agriculture and Markets Law and Section five amends Section 371 of the Agriculture and Markets Law, both of which are given language to help incorporate them and otherwise make them applicable to the provisions of the proposed Penal Law Title Q. Section six amends. Subdivision 6 of Section 373 of the Agriculture and Markets Law to add other agencies to qualify as impounding organizations for the purposes of petitioning for a security bond in order to obtain reasonable boarding expenses pending criminal litigation. The addition of the other agencies comports with the fact that these agencies may become responsible for the impound if the animal were seized or impound- ed pursuant to a search warrant obtained under article 690 of the crimi- nal procedure law. For consistency, the term "impounding organization" is further regularized in later subsections of subdivision 6. Section seven repeals Subdivision 8 of Section 374 of the Agriculture and Markets Law. The repealed special sentencing provisions are moved to a new section, 380. Section eight amends the Agriculture and Markets Law by adding a new Section 382 to permit the court to order forfeiture of the animal to an animal shelter, pound, sheriff, police officer, or district attorney, in addition to a society for the prevention of cruelty to animals. Language has been added to subdivision 3 in an effort to alleviate the constitutional cloud over the term "reasonable." The language and crite- ria is thusly elaborated: "In making its determination of what period of time is reasonable, the court shall take into account the totality of the circumstances before it and be bound to no single factor. Such order must be in writing and specifically state the period of time imposed." Subdivision 4 of the proposed section 382 adds the term "used" in regards to scientific testing. As the language of section 374 stands presently, the absence of this term is an oversight that would permit the shelter, pound, or duly incorporated society for the prevention of cruelty to animals to experiment on the animals themselves, while prohibiting their sale or transfer for that purpose. Section nine amends Part 3 of the Penal Law by adding a new Title Q, which is comprised of animal cruelty offenses and largely based upon the former provisions of Article 2.5 of the Agriculture and Markets Law. The Title consists of a new Article 280, which is captioned "Offenses against Animals." Section 280.00 is introduced to the Penal Law and contains the bulk of the definitions for the proposed Article 280. Subdivision 1 is a verba- tim reproduction of subdivision 1 of section 350 of the Agriculture and Markets Law. Subdivision 2 is a reproduction of subdivision 2 of section 350 of the Agriculture and Markets Law with an important addition that serves to out source clutter from the proposed section 280.20. This additional language is based on passages from the existing section 353 of the Agriculture and Markets Law. Importantly, the definitions of "cruelty" and "torture," which appeared together in subdivision 2 of section 350 of the Agriculture and Markets Laws, are now severed. The definition of "torture" now appears in subdivision 4 of the proposed definitions section and derives entirely from a segment of the present definition of "aggravated cruelty," as that term currently appears in section 353-a of the Agriculture and Markets Law. Subdivision 3 is a near-verbatim reproduction of language found in subdivision 1 of section 353-a of the Agriculture and Markets Law, the only difference being the aforementioned severance of verbiage which is transferred as the defi- nition of the term "torture." Subdivision 5 is based up on subdivision 3 of section 350 of the Agriculture and Markets Law. Subdivision 6 is a nearverbatim reproduction of subdivision 4 of section 350 of the Agri- culture and Markets Law. Subdivision 7 is a near-verbatim reproduction of subdivision 5 of section 350 of the Agriculture and Markets Law with a minor change in sequencing on the second couplet of "companion animal" or "pet." Subdivision 8 is a verbatim reproduction of language which appears in subdivision 1 of section 351 of the Agriculture and Markets Law. Subdivision 9 was composed to provide a concrete definition of "abandons" as that term is used in the proposed section 280.20 of the Penal Law. Subdivision 10 provides a definition of "restrain" and was substantially based on subdivision 1 of section 135.00 of the Penal Law. Subdivision 11 provides a definition of "abduct" and was substantially based on subdivision 2 of the section 135.00 of the Penal Law. Section 280.05 is introduced as one of two statutes taken from section 351 of the Agriculture and Markets Law. The current section 351 of the Agriculture and Markets Law covers multiple crimes, both misdemeanors and felonies. This bill splits the conglomerate into two separate stat- utes, Section 280.05 and Section 280.10, for clarity and comprehensi- bility. Subdivision 1 of section 280.05 is based on subparagraph (e) of subdivision 2 of section 351 of the Agriculture and Markets Law. Subdi- vision 2 of section 280.05 is loosely based on subparagraph (b) of subdivision 4 of section 351 of the Agriculture and Markets Law, but modifies the measure component for clarity of what is required for commission of the, offense. Section 280.10 is introduced to replace the felony components of section 351 of the Agriculture and Markets Law. It is a substantial reproduction of the statute, with few structural chang- es. Subdivision 3 of section 280.10 amends its predecessor statute with the inclusion of the word "transfers" which was a broad oversight in previous drafting. Subdivision 5 of section 280.10 is amended to remove a troublesome element involving the proof of training of the by-standing animal such animal possibly being a "bait animal" which was not trained to fight. It is notable that, pursuant to section 160.10 of the Criminal Procedure Law, the transplant of the misdemeanor portion of animal fighting to the Penal. Law causes this offense to now be a printable offense for law enforcement (the same can be said for all transplanted agriculture and markets law misdemeanors). As it currently stands, a violation of subparagraph (b) of subdivision 3 of section 351 (misdemeanor animal fighting) is not a printable offense for purposes of Article 160 of the Criminal Procedure Law, which is another major oversight in the existing legislative drafting. Finally, as crimes in the Penal Law must be clas- sified pursuant to Title E, Article 55, the misdemeanor component of animal fighting, now housed in section 280.05, is designated as a class A misdemeanor and the felony component of animal fighting, now housed in section 280.10, is designated as a class D felony. The special tine schedules, which were previously enacted for animal fighting, are retained by enacting an authorized dispositions section, contained in section 60.22 of the Penal Law. Section 280.20 is introduced to replace various components of sections 353, 355, and 360 of the Agriculture and Markets Low. Subdivision 1 outlines the standard of care to be provided by an owner, possessor, custodian, or caregiver of an animal. The vague term "sustenance," as it appeared in section 353 of the Agriculture and Markets Law, with the uncodified case law definition on that term (i.e. "food, drink, veteri- nary care, or shelter adequate to maintain the animal's health and comfort"), provided in a litany of cases that include, but is not limit- ed to People v. Richardson, 15 Misc. 311 138A (App. Term 9th & 10th Jud. Dist. 2007) and People v. Mahoney, 9 Misc.3d 1.01 (App. Term 9th & 10" Jud. Dist. 2008). Apart from codification, the terms "food" and "drink" are replaced by the more modem concepts of "nutrition" and "hydration." The former presence of "necessary" in section 353 of the agriculture and markets law (i.e. "necessary sustenance"), is replaced with the expanded provision of adequacy. The adequacy of all four elements - nutrition, hydration, veterinary care, and shelter - is required. Subdivision 2 is based upon section 355 of the Agriculture and Markets Law, except that duplicative language is dropped after the first clause regarding abandonment, "Abandons" is defined in the revised subdivision (9) of section 280.00. Subdivision 3 outlines the standard of care to be applied to animals in general, regardless of personal connection, and pulls heavily on the enhanced definition of "cruelty" as it appears in subdivision 2 of the proposed section 280.00. It is a successor-clause to the existing final clause of section 353 of the agriculture and markets law. The term "willfully, "however, was relaxed to "knowingly," which more clearly comports with the expansion of the term "cruelty," both as currently defined and under the proposed definition. Subdivision 4 is based on section 360 of the Agriculture and Markets Law, with structural changes for clarity and a mental intent to injure added. Section 280.25 is introduced to replace section 353-a of the Agriculture and Markets Law. It differs from section 353-a of the Agriculture and Markets Law in that it enhances the classification and punishment on the proscribed conduct a violation of section 280.25 is a class D felony, whereas a violation of section 353-a of the Agriculture and Markets Law is an unclassified felony with a limited sentencing range (a so-called "E Minus" felony). The section is re-titled to match its counterpart, section 280.20. The definition of the term ""aggravated cruelty," as it appears in section 280.25, appears in section 280.00, and it amended to split acts of torture from acts of cruelty. The practical effect is negligible as both definitions remain under the force of the statute. Subdivisions 1 and 2 are based upon language in subdivision 1 of section 353a of the Agriculture and Markets Law, however, they are worded more akin to assault and homicide statutes elsewhere in the penal law. Subdi- vision 3 of section 280.25 proposes a sanction for acts of "aggravated cruelty" and "torture" committed against any animal and not just "companion animals" which is long overdue and based upon the sentiment that this law should be meant to focus on the extremely disturbing conduct of an individual and not the human emotion or affection towards the affected animal. Whether the individual sadistically tortured a wild turtle or a pet turtle, the criminal sanction on that type of behavior should be the same. Subdivision 4 is based upon provisions found in the existing section 360 of the Agriculture and Markets Law. Subdivision 5 is an additional sanction for repeat offenders of section 2130.20, modeled after statutory language which appears elsewhere in the Penal Law. Section 280.30 is based loosely on the existing section 361 of the Agri- culture and Markets Law. The new statute is re-titled for clarity and serves to enhance the penalty for interference with competitive or exhibited animals. The term "domestic," which had no definition, was removed as its inclusion had de minimis practicality or legal signif- icance. Section 280.35 is introduced to subsume and rectify the constitutional problems with the existing section 362 of the Agriculture and Markets Law, The existing section 362 of the Agriculture and Markets Law, as written, effectively makes littering a misdemeanor, has an incorrectly positioned mans rea, and is not often used. Section 280.35 incorporates certain language from subdivision 7 of section 240.20 of the Penal Law to adjust for the mans rea of the statute. It also more appropriately categorizes the offense as a violation, which is intended play a crucial role in any plea bargaining of animal offenses and serve as a lesser-in- cluded offense of the various provisions of Article 280. Subdivision 1 acts as a "catch-all" provision that bridges the gap between non-culpa- bility and conduct which violates section 280.20. Subdivision 2 incorpo- rates language from section 362 of the Agriculture and Markets Law, but clarifies the mans rea, obviating constitutional concerns. As a viola- tion-level offense, a perpetrator could be subjected to fifteen days incarceration, in addition to other sentencing possibilities, the most notable of which are the special sentencing provisions in the proposed section 380 of the Agriculture and Markets Law, discussed above. Sections 280.40, 280.45, and 280.50 are introduced to allow prosecution in the event of unlawful restraint or taking of an animal. Currently, the only other statutes designed to cover this type of conduct are the larceny provisions contained in Article 155 of the Penal Law. As society is moving away from treating pets as chattel or property, statutes need to adjust for the humanistic approach to prosecution. These sections must be read inconjunction with the definitions of "restrains" and "abducts," which are listed in the proposed section 280.00. Section 280.40 is based upon language found in section 1 5.05 of the Penal Law. Section 280.45 is based upon language found in section 135.20 of the Penal Law. Section 280.50 is based upon language found in 135.25 of the Penal Law. The classification of these crimes, as proposed, would great- ly enhance the penalty for such conduct. For example, currently, an individual who steals another person's adopted non purebred dog, drives it to a faraway location, and leaves it there to die, could only be charged with petit larceny, in violation of section 155.25 of the Penal Law, and Abandonment of Animals, in violation of section 355 of the Agriculture and Markets Law. Both of those crimes are c lass A misdemea- nors. The proposed section 280.50 would potentially make the same conduct punishable as a class D felony. Section 280.55 contains a presumption applicable to prosecutions of sections 280.40, 280.45; and 280.50. Sections 280.60 and 280.65 are verbatim reproductions of the current sections 353-b and 353-d of the Agriculture and Markets Law, respective- ly. Section 280.70 is a verbatim reproduction of the current section 367 of the Agriculture and Markets Law. Section 280.75 is a cross-referencing tool to the evidentiary, disposi- tion, and care provisions which appear in various sections of the Agri- culture and Markets Law. Section 280.80 is an important cross-referencing tool to ensure that the courts are empowered to sentence in accordance with the special needs of an animal cruelty prosecution. Section ten amends the Penal Law by adding a new section 60.22 which is the vehicle by which the special fine sentencing provisions enacted for animal fighting, under the current section 351 of the Agriculture and Markets Law, survive the transfer to the Penal Law. Section eleven amends Paragraph (c) of Subdivision 1 of Section 70.02 of the Penal Law to incorporate select provisions of the proposed "animal cruelty in the first degree," in violation of proposed Section 280.25, into the list of violent felony offenses. The excluded provisions are the aggregation offense for twice violating animal cruel- ty in the second degree (subdivision 5) and the aggravating-factor poisoning offense (subdivision 4). Section twelve amends Section 195.06 of the Penal Law to enhance the offense classification and penalty for killing or injuring a police animal. A violation of this section would now be a class D felony, which comports this statute to the level of offense of Animal Cruelty in the First Degree, under the proposed section 280.25 of the Penal Law. Section thirteen amends Section 195.11 of the Penal Law to enhance the offense classification and penalty for harming an animal trained to aid a person with a disability in the second degree. A violation of this section would now be a class A misdemeanor, which comports this statute to the level of offense of Animal Cruelty in the Second Degree, under the proposed section 280.20 of the Penal Law (or the existing offense of Overdriving, torturing and injuring animals; failure to provide proper sustenance, under section 353 of the Agriculture and Markets Law). Section fourteen amends Section 195.12 of the Penal Law to enhance the offense classification and penalty for harming and animals trained to aid a person with a disability in the first degree. A violation of this section would now be a class D felony. Section fifteen amends Subdivision 2 of Section 265.01 of the Penal Law by converting it to gender neutrality and adding animals as a protected class against unlawful weapon use. This will be particularly helpful for law enforcement where there is clear evidence of a beating with an instrument but, due to unfamiliarity with field examinations of animals for injury, a charge can be made upon implementation alone. Section sixteen identifies the severability clause. Section seventeen sets forth the effective date. JUSTIFICATION: This bill markedly improves the accessibility and comprehensibility of animal crime statutes, thereby promoting enforcement of this category of crime. The bill will take patrol-scenario crimes, faced by municipal law enforcement, and structure them alongside the bulk of criminal law. By placing animal crime shoulder-to-shoulder with other categories of crime in the Penal Law, there will be a streamlining of criminal procedure, training, legal terminology, and judicial philosophy. As the law currently stands, commercial, industrial, and patrol-scenario offenses are housed together in a body of law that has proven to be inaccessible by police. Not only is a patrol officer unlikely to have a copy of the Agriculture and Markets Law in their radio car, but the precinct desk officer is also unlikely to have a copy at headquarters. Furthermore, police academies primarily focus training on Penal Law and Vehicle and Traffic Law provisions, without any education or training whatsoever on Agriculture and Markets Law provisions. While there may be crimes housed outside the Penal Law - for example, tax crimes there is seldom, if ever, a patrol dispatch requiring urgent response and action on a violation of the tax law - animal crimes occur in the field and often require emergency response. An ancillary benefit to that main objective will be a harmonizing of this crime with others as far as the applicability of the criminal procedure law. Matters such as search warrants, fingerprinting, collection of DNA, recordkeeping, court surcharges, and other procedural aspects of law enforcement become applicable. Beyond the mere transplant, however, this bill modernizes statutory language and structure to more aptly match its sister crimes. Within the bill text, there is heavy borrowing from terminology and format from other areas of Penal Law. This was done not only for clarity, familiar- ity, and comprehensibility, but also so that case interpretations of terminology and structure become immediately applicable. Offenses have been re-titled for clarity and order of precedence and restructured into manageable subdivisions. Offenses have also been given appropriate and clear mental states. If there was a prevailing case law interpretation of a term, the term was codified into the statute itself in order to obviate time-wasting motion practice over the issue. In short, the average police officer will now be able to find the law, read the law, understand the law, and apply the law all while standing at a crime scene in the middle of the night. Prosecutors and defense attorneys will spend markedly less time in needless motion practice over the definition of obsolete terms or general applicability of passages. Judges will be better equipped to dispense justice on accused individ- uals. Finally, the average ember of the public will be better apprised of the standards that apply to the treatment of animals. LEGISLATIVE HISTORY: 2022: S.4925 - Referred to Agriculture 2021: S.4925 - Referred to Agriculture 2020: 5.2623 - Referred to Domestic Animal Welfare/ A.634 - Referred to Agriculture 2019: 5.2623 - Referred to Domestic Animal Welfare/ A.634 - Referred to Agriculture 2018: S.6226-A - Referred to Agriculture/A.653-A - Referred to Agricul- ture 2017: S.6226 - Referred to Agriculture/A.653 - Referred to Agriculture 2016: 5.3201 - Referred to Agriculture/A.352 - Referred to Agriculture 2015: 5.3201 - Referred to Agriculture/A.352 - Referred to Agriculture 2014: 5.6261 - Referred to Agriculture FISCAL IMPLICATIONS: Penal Law surcharges become applicable to animal crimes offenses, poten- tially enhancing state revenue. EFFECTIVE DATE: This bill shall take effect on the first of November next succeeding the date on which it shall become a law.
2023-S4279 (ACTIVE) - Bill Text download pdf
S T A T E O F N E W Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________
4279
2023-2024 Regular Sessions
I N S E N A T E
February 7, 2023
___________
Introduced by Sen. LANZA -- read twice and ordered printed, and when
printed to be committed to the Committee on Agriculture
AN ACT to amend the agriculture and markets law and the penal law, in
relation to promoting understanding, awareness and enforcement of
animal crimes laws; and to repeal sections 351, 353, 353-a, 353-b,
353-d, 355, 360, 361, 362 and subdivision 8 of section 374 of the
agriculture and markets law relating thereto
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Section 350 of the agriculture and markets law, as added
by chapter 1047 of the laws of 1965, subdivision 3 as added by chapter
619 of the laws of 1987, subdivision 4 as added by chapter 569 of the
laws of 1995, subdivision 5 as amended by chapter 118 of the laws of
1999, is amended to read as follows:
§ 350. Definitions. 1. "Animal[,]", as used in this article, includes
every living creature except a human being;
2. ["Torture" or "cruelty"] "CRUELTY" includes every act, omission, or
neglect, whereby unjustifiable physical pain, suffering or death is
caused or permitted AND SHALL INCLUDE BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO, ANY ACT OF
OVERDRIVING, OVERLOADING, INJURING, MAIMING, MUTILATING OR KILLING AN
ANIMAL.
2-A. "TORTURE" MEANS CONDUCT THAT IS INTENDED TO CAUSE EXTREME PHYS-
ICAL PAIN.
3. "Adoption" means the delivery [to any natural person eighteen years
of age or older, for the limited purpose of harboring a pet, of any dog
or cat, seized or surrendered] OF ANY ANIMAL FORFEITED, SEIZED OR
SURRENDERED, TO ANY NATURAL PERSON EIGHTEEN YEARS OF AGE OR OLDER, FOR
THE PURPOSE OF THAT PERSON PERMANENTLY HARBORING SUCH ANIMAL AS A PET.
4. "Farm animal", as used in this article, means any ungulate, poul-
try, species of cattle, sheep, swine, goats, llamas, horses or fur-bear-
ing animals, as defined in section 11-1907 of the environmental conser-
EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD08508-01-3
S. 4279 2
vation law, which are raised for commercial or subsistence purposes.
Fur-bearing animal, AS REFERENCED IN THIS ARTICLE, shall not include
dogs or cats.
5. "Companion animal" or "pet" means any dog or cat, and shall also
mean any other domesticated animal normally maintained in or near the
household of the owner or person who cares for such other domesticated
animal. ["Pet" or "companion] "COMPANION animal" OR "PET" shall not
include a "farm animal" as defined in this section.
6. "ANIMAL CRUELTY OFFENSE" MEANS ANY VIOLATION OF THIS ARTICLE OR OF
ARTICLE TWO HUNDRED EIGHTY OF THE PENAL LAW, OR ANY OTHER UNLAWFUL ACT
BY WHICH HARM IS INTENTIONALLY, KNOWINGLY, RECKLESSLY OR NEGLIGENTLY
CAUSED OR PERMITTED TO OCCUR TO AN ANIMAL.
7. "DULY INCORPORATED SOCIETY FOR THE PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO
ANIMALS", AS USED IN THIS ARTICLE, SHALL MEAN A CORPORATION CONSTITUTED
PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF SUBDIVISION (G) OF SECTION FOUR HUNDRED
FOUR AND SECTION FOURTEEN HUNDRED THREE OF THE NOT-FOR-PROFIT CORPO-
RATION LAW.
§ 2. Sections 351, 353, 353-a, 353-b, 353-d, 355, 360, 361 and 362 of
the agriculture and markets law are REPEALED.
§ 3. Section 365 of the agriculture and markets law, as amended by
chapter 458 of the laws of 1985, is amended to read as follows:
§ 365. Clipping or cutting the ears of dogs. 1. Whoever clips or cuts
off or causes or procures another to clip or cut off the whole or any
part of an ear of any dog unless an anaesthetic shall have been given to
the dog and the operation performed by a licensed veterinarian, is guil-
ty of a misdemeanor, punishable by imprisonment for not more than one
year, or a fine of not more than one thousand dollars, or by both.
2. [The provisions of this section shall not apply to any dog or
person who is the owner or possessor of any dog whose ear or a part
thereof has been clipped or cut off prior to September first, nineteen
hundred twenty-nine.
3.] Each applicant for a dog license must state on such application
whether any ear of the dog for which he applies for such license has
been cut off wholly or in part.
[4.] 3. Nothing herein contained shall be construed as preventing any
dog whose ear or ears shall have been clipped or cut off wholly or in
part, not in violation of this section, from being imported into the
state exclusively for breeding purposes.
§ 4. Section 369 of the agriculture and markets law, as amended by
chapter 458 of the laws of 1985, is amended to read as follows:
§ 369. Interference with officers. Any person who shall interfere with
or obstruct any constable or police officer or any officer or agent of
any duly incorporated society for the prevention of cruelty to animals
in the discharge of his duty to enforce the laws relating to animals,
INCLUDING THOSE PROVISIONS CONTAINED IN ARTICLE TWO HUNDRED EIGHTY OF
THE PENAL LAW, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, punishable by imprison-
ment for not more than one year, or by a fine of not more than one thou-
sand dollars, or by both.
§ 5. Section 371 of the agriculture and markets law, as amended by
chapter 573 of the laws of 1978, is amended to read as follows:
§ 371. Powers of peace officers. A constable or police officer must,
and any agent or officer of any duly incorporated society for the
prevention of cruelty to animals may issue an appearance ticket pursuant
to section 150.20 of the criminal procedure law, summon or arrest, and
bring before a court or magistrate having jurisdiction, any person
offending against any of the provisions of THIS article [twenty-six of
S. 4279 3
the agriculture and markets law] OR ANY PROVISIONS OF ARTICLE TWO
HUNDRED EIGHTY OF THE PENAL LAW. Any officer or agent of any of said
societies may lawfully interfere to prevent the perpetration of any act
of cruelty upon any animal in his OR HER presence. Any of said societies
may prefer a complaint before any court, tribunal or magistrate having
jurisdiction, for the violation of any law relating to or affecting
animals and may aid in presenting the law and facts before such court,
tribunal or magistrate in any proceeding taken.
§ 6. Subdivision 6 of section 373 of the agriculture and markets law,
as amended by chapter 256 of the laws of 1997, paragraph a as amended by
chapter 289 of the laws of 2018, subparagraph 1 of paragraph b as
amended by chapter 531 of the laws of 2013 and subparagraph 2 of para-
graph b as amended by section 24 of part T of chapter 59 of the laws of
2010, is amended to read as follows:
6. a. If any animal is seized [and] OR impounded pursuant to the
provisions of this section, [section three hundred fifty-three-d of this
article] or section three hundred seventy-five of this article, OR
PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF ARTICLE SIX HUNDRED NINETY OF THE CRIMINAL
PROCEDURE LAW, for any violation of this article, ANY VIOLATION OF ARTI-
CLE TWO HUNDRED EIGHTY OF THE PENAL LAW OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE ARREST
FOR AN ANIMAL CRUELTY OFFENSE, THEN, upon arraignment of charges, or
within a reasonable time thereafter, [the] A duly incorporated society
for the prevention of cruelty to animals, humane society, pound, animal
shelter, SHERIFF, MUNICIPAL POLICE DEPARTMENT, DISTRICT ATTORNEY or any
authorized agents thereof, hereinafter referred to for the purposes of
this section as the "impounding organization", may file a petition with
the court in which criminal charges have been filed requesting that the
person from whom an animal is seized or the owner of the animal be
ordered to post a security. The district attorney prosecuting the charg-
es may file and obtain the requested relief on behalf of the impounding
organization if requested to do so by the impounding organization. The
security shall be in an amount sufficient to secure payment for all
reasonable expenses expected to be incurred by the impounding organiza-
tion in caring and providing for the animal pending disposition of the
charges. Reasonable expenses shall include, but not be limited to, esti-
mated medical care and boarding of the animal for at least thirty days.
The amount of the security, if any, shall be determined by the court
after taking into consideration all of the facts and circumstances of
the case including, but not limited to the recommendation of the
impounding organization having custody and care of the seized animal and
the cost of caring for the animal. If a security has been posted in
accordance with this section, the impounding organization may draw from
the security the actual reasonable costs to be incurred by such organ-
ization in caring for the seized animal.
b. (1) Upon receipt of a petition pursuant to paragraph a of this
subdivision the court shall set a hearing on the petition to be
conducted within ten business days of the filing of such petition. The
petitioner shall serve a true copy of the petition upon the defendant
and the district attorney if the district attorney has not filed the
petition on behalf of the petitioner. The petitioner shall also serve a
true copy of the petition on any interested person. For purposes of this
subdivision, interested person shall mean an individual, partnership,
firm, joint stock company, corporation, association, trust, estate or
other legal entity who the court determines may have a pecuniary inter-
est in the animal which is the subject of the petition. The petitioner
or the district attorney acting on behalf of the petitioner, shall have
S. 4279 4
the burden of proving by a preponderance of the evidence that the person
from whom the animal was seized violated a provision of this article.
The court may waive for good cause shown the posting of security.
(2) If the court orders the posting of a security, the security shall
be posted with the clerk of the court within five business days of the
hearing provided for in subparagraph one of this paragraph. The court
may order the immediate forfeiture of the seized animal to the impound-
ing organization if the person ordered to post the security fails to do
so. Any animal forfeited shall be made available for adoption or euthan-
ized subject to subdivision seven-a of section one hundred seventeen of
this chapter or section three hundred seventy-four of this article.
(3) In the case of an animal other than a companion animal or pet, if
a person ordered to post security fails to do so, the court may, in
addition to the forfeiture to [a duly incorporated society for the
prevention of cruelty to animals, humane society, pound, animal shelter
or any authorized agents thereof] THE IMPOUNDING ORGANIZATION, and
subject to the restrictions of sections three hundred fifty-four, three
hundred fifty-seven and three hundred seventy-four of this article,
order the animal which was the basis of the order to be sold, provided
that all interested persons shall first be provided the opportunity to
redeem their interest in the animal and to purchase the interest of the
person ordered to post security, subject to such conditions as the court
deems appropriate to assure proper care and treatment of the animal. The
court may reimburse the person ordered to post security and any inter-
ested persons any money earned by the sale of the animal less any costs
including, but not limited to, veterinary and custodial care. Any animal
determined by the court to be maimed, diseased, disabled or infirm so as
to be unfit for sale or any useful purpose shall be forfeited to [a duly
incorporated society for the prevention of cruelty to animals or a duly
incorporated humane society] THE IMPOUNDING ORGANIZATION or authorized
agents thereof, and be available for adoption or shall be euthanized
subject to section three hundred seventy-four of this article.
(4) Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit or restrict in
any way the rights of a secured party having a security interest in any
animal described in this section. This section expressly does not impair
or subordinate the rights of such a secured lender having a security
interest in the animal or in the proceeds from the sale of such animal.
c. In no event shall the security prevent the impounding organization
having custody and care of the animal from disposing of the animal
pursuant to section three hundred seventy-four of this article prior to
the expiration of the thirty day period covered by the security if the
court makes a determination of the charges against the person from whom
the animal was seized prior thereto. Upon receipt of a petition from the
impounding organization, the court may order the person from whom the
animal was seized or the owner of the animal to post an additional secu-
rity with the clerk of the court to secure payment of reasonable
expenses for an additional period of time pending a determination by the
court of the charges against the person from whom the animal was seized.
The person who posted the security shall be entitled to a refund of the
security in whole or part for any expenses not incurred by such impound-
ing organization upon adjudication of the charges. The person who posted
the security shall be entitled to a full refund of the security, includ-
ing reimbursement by the impounding organization of any amount allowed
by the court to be expended, and the return of the animal seized and
impounded upon acquittal or dismissal of the charges, except where the
dismissal is based upon an adjournment in contemplation of dismissal
S. 4279 5
pursuant to section 215.30 of the criminal procedure law. The court
order directing such refund and reimbursement shall provide for payment
to be made within a reasonable time from the acquittal or dismissal of
charges.
§ 7. Subdivision 8 of section 374 of the agriculture and markets law
is REPEALED.
§ 8. The agriculture and markets law is amended by adding a new
section 385 to read as follows:
§ 385. SPECIAL SENTENCING PROVISIONS. IN ADDITION TO ANY OTHER PENAL-
TY PROVIDED BY LAW, A COURT MAY IMPOSE THE FOLLOWING SENTENCES UPON A
CONVICTION FOR ANY ANIMAL CRUELTY OFFENSE:
1. THE CONVICTED PERSON MAY, AFTER A DULY HELD HEARING PURSUANT TO
SUBDIVISION SIX OF THIS SECTION, BE ORDERED BY THE COURT TO FORFEIT, TO
AN ANIMAL SHELTER, POUND, SHERIFF, MUNICIPAL POLICE DEPARTMENT, DISTRICT
ATTORNEY, A DULY INCORPORATED SOCIETY FOR THE PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO
ANIMALS OR A DULY INCORPORATED HUMANE SOCIETY OR AUTHORIZED AGENTS THER-
EOF, THE ANIMAL OR ANIMALS WHICH ARE THE BASIS OF THE CONVICTION. UPON
SUCH AN ORDER OF FORFEITURE, THE CONVICTED PERSON SHALL BE DEEMED TO
HAVE RELINQUISHED ALL RIGHTS TO THE ANIMALS WHICH ARE THE BASIS OF THE
CONVICTION, EXCEPT THOSE GRANTED IN SUBDIVISION TWO OF THIS SECTION.
2. IN THE CASE OF FARM ANIMALS, THE COURT MAY, IN ADDITION TO THE
FORFEITURE TO AN ANIMAL SHELTER, POUND, SHERIFF, MUNICIPAL POLICE
DEPARTMENT, DISTRICT ATTORNEY, A DULY INCORPORATED SOCIETY FOR THE
PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO ANIMALS OR A DULY INCORPORATED HUMANE SOCIETY
OR AUTHORIZED AGENTS THEREOF, AND SUBJECT TO THE RESTRICTIONS OF
SECTIONS THREE HUNDRED FIFTY-FOUR AND THREE HUNDRED FIFTY-SEVEN OF THIS
ARTICLE, ORDER THE FARM ANIMALS WHICH WERE THE BASIS OF THE CONVICTION
TO BE SOLD. IN NO CASE SHALL FARM ANIMALS WHICH ARE THE BASIS OF THE
CONVICTION BE REDEEMED BY THE CONVICTED PERSON WHO IS THE SUBJECT OF THE
ORDER OF FORFEITURE OR BY ANY PERSON CHARGED WITH AN ANIMAL CRUELTY
OFFENSE FOR CONSPIRING, AIDING OR ABETTING IN THE UNLAWFUL ACT WHICH WAS
THE BASIS OF THE CONVICTION, OR OTHERWISE ACTING AS AN ACCOMPLICE IF
SUCH CHARGE HAS NOT YET BEEN ADJUDICATED. THE COURT SHALL REIMBURSE THE
CONVICTED PERSON AND ANY DULY DETERMINED INTERESTED PERSONS, PURSUANT TO
SUBDIVISION SIX OF THIS SECTION, ANY MONEY EARNED BY THE SALE OF THE
FARM ANIMALS LESS ANY COSTS INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, VETERINARY
AND CUSTODIAL CARE, AND ANY FINES OR PENALTIES IMPOSED BY THE COURT. THE
COURT MAY ORDER THAT THE SUBJECT ANIMALS BE PROVIDED WITH APPROPRIATE
CARE AND TREATMENT PENDING THE HEARING AND THE DISPOSITION OF THE CHARG-
ES. ANY FARM ANIMAL ORDERED FORFEITED BUT NOT SOLD SHALL BE REMANDED TO
THE CUSTODY AND CHARGE OF AN ANIMAL SHELTER, POUND, SHERIFF, MUNICIPAL
POLICE DEPARTMENT, DISTRICT ATTORNEY, A DULY INCORPORATED SOCIETY FOR
THE PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO ANIMALS OR DULY INCORPORATED HUMANE SOCIETY
OR ITS AUTHORIZED AGENT THEREOF AND DISPOSED OF PURSUANT TO SUBDIVISION
FIVE OF THIS SECTION.
3. THE COURT MAY ORDER THAT THE CONVICTED PERSON SHALL NOT OWN,
HARBOR, OR HAVE CUSTODY OR CONTROL OF ANY OTHER ANIMALS, OTHER THAN FARM
ANIMALS, FOR A PERIOD OF TIME WHICH THE COURT DEEMS REASONABLE. IN
MAKING ITS DETERMINATION OF WHAT PERIOD OF TIME IS REASONABLE, THE COURT
SHALL TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE TOTALITY OF THE CIRCUMSTANCES BEFORE IT AND
BE BOUND TO NO SINGLE FACTOR. SUCH ORDER MUST BE IN WRITING AND SPECIF-
ICALLY STATE THE PERIOD OF TIME IMPOSED.
4. NO DOG OR CAT IN THE CUSTODY OF A DULY INCORPORATED SOCIETY FOR
THE PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO ANIMALS, A DULY INCORPORATED HUMANE SOCIETY
OR ITS AUTHORIZED AGENTS THEREOF, OR A POUND OR SHELTER, SHALL BE SOLD,
TRANSFERRED OR OTHERWISE MADE AVAILABLE TO ANY PERSON FOR THE PURPOSE OF
S. 4279 6
RESEARCH, EXPERIMENTATION OR TESTING. NO AUTHORIZED AGENT OF A DULY
INCORPORATED SOCIETY FOR THE PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO ANIMALS, NOR OF A
DULY INCORPORATED HUMANE SOCIETY, SHALL USE ANY ANIMAL PLACED IN ITS
CUSTODY BY THE DULY INCORPORATED SOCIETY FOR THE PREVENTION OF CRUELTY
TO ANIMALS OR DULY INCORPORATED HUMANE SOCIETY FOR THE PURPOSE OF
RESEARCH, EXPERIMENTATION OR TESTING.
5. AN ANIMAL SHELTER, POUND, SHERIFF, MUNICIPAL POLICE DEPARTMENT,
DISTRICT ATTORNEY, A DULY INCORPORATED SOCIETY FOR THE PREVENTION OF
CRUELTY TO ANIMALS OR A DULY INCORPORATED HUMANE SOCIETY IN CHARGE OF
ANIMALS FORFEITED PURSUANT TO SUBDIVISION ONE OR TWO OF THIS SECTION
MAY, IN ITS DISCRETION, LAWFULLY AND WITHOUT LIABILITY, ADOPT THEM TO
INDIVIDUALS OTHER THAN THE CONVICTED PERSON OR PERSON CHARGED WITH AN
ANIMAL CRUELTY OFFENSE FOR CONSPIRING, AIDING OR ABETTING IN THE UNLAW-
FUL ACT WHICH WAS THE BASIS OF THE CONVICTION, OR OTHERWISE ACTING AS AN
ACCOMPLICE IF SUCH CHARGE HAS NOT YET BEEN ADJUDICATED, OR HUMANELY
DISPOSE OF THEM SUBJECT TO SECTION THREE HUNDRED SEVENTY-FOUR OF THIS
ARTICLE.
6. (A) PRIOR TO AN ORDER OF FORFEITURE OF FARM ANIMALS, A HEARING
SHALL BE HELD WITHIN THIRTY DAYS OF CONVICTION TO DETERMINE THE PECUNI-
ARY INTERESTS OF ANY OTHER PERSON IN THE FARM ANIMALS WHICH WERE THE
BASIS OF THE CONVICTION. WRITTEN NOTICE SHALL BE SERVED AT LEAST FIVE
DAYS PRIOR TO THE HEARING UPON ALL INTERESTED PERSONS. IN ADDITION,
NOTICE SHALL BE MADE BY PUBLICATION IN A LOCAL NEWSPAPER AT LEAST SEVEN
DAYS PRIOR TO THE HEARING. FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS SUBDIVISION, INTER-
ESTED PERSONS SHALL MEAN ANY INDIVIDUAL, PARTNERSHIP, FIRM, JOINT STOCK
COMPANY, CORPORATION, ASSOCIATION, TRUST, ESTATE, OR OTHER LEGAL ENTITY
WHO THE COURT DETERMINES MAY HAVE A PECUNIARY INTEREST IN THE FARM
ANIMALS WHICH ARE THE SUBJECT OF THE FORFEITURE ACTION.
(B) ALL INTERESTED PERSONS SHALL BE PROVIDED AN OPPORTUNITY AT THE
HEARING TO REDEEM THEIR INTEREST AS DETERMINED BY THE COURT IN THE
SUBJECT FARM ANIMALS AND TO PURCHASE THE INTEREST OF THE CONVICTED
PERSON. THE CONVICTED PERSON SHALL BE ENTITLED TO BE REIMBURSED HIS OR
HER INTEREST IN THE FARM ANIMALS, LESS ANY COSTS, FINES OR PENALTIES
IMPOSED BY THE COURT, AS SPECIFIED UNDER SUBDIVISION TWO OF THIS
SECTION. IN NO CASE SHALL THE COURT AWARD CUSTODY OR CONTROL OF THE
ANIMALS TO ANY INTERESTED PERSON WHO CONSPIRED, AIDED OR ABETTED IN THE
UNLAWFUL ACT WHICH WAS THE BASIS OF THE CONVICTION, OR WHO KNEW OR
SHOULD HAVE KNOWN OF THE UNLAWFUL ACT.
7. NOTHING IN THIS SECTION SHALL BE CONSTRUED TO LIMIT OR RESTRICT IN
ANY WAY THE RIGHTS OF A SECURED PARTY HAVING A SECURITY INTEREST IN ANY
FARM ANIMAL DESCRIBED IN THIS SECTION. THIS SECTION EXPRESSLY DOES NOT
IMPAIR OR SUBORDINATE THE RIGHTS OF SUCH A SECURED LENDER HAVING A SECU-
RITY INTEREST IN FARM ANIMALS OR IN THE PROCEEDS FROM THE SALE OF SUCH
FARM ANIMALS.
§ 9. Part 3 of the penal law is amended by adding a new title Q to
read as follows:
TITLE Q
OFFENSES AGAINST ANIMALS
ARTICLE 280
OFFENSES AGAINST ANIMALS
SECTION 280.00 DEFINITIONS.
280.05 PROMOTING ANIMAL FIGHTING IN THE SECOND DEGREE.
280.10 PROMOTING ANIMAL FIGHTING IN THE FIRST DEGREE.
280.20 ANIMAL CRUELTY IN THE SECOND DEGREE.
280.25 ANIMAL CRUELTY IN THE FIRST DEGREE.
S. 4279 7
280.30 UNLAWFUL DEALING WITH ANIMALS USED FOR RACING, BREEDING,
OR COMPETITIVE EXHIBITION OF SKILL, BREED OR STAMINA.
280.35 ENDANGERING THE WELFARE OF ANIMALS.
280.40 ANIMAL ABDUCTION IN THE THIRD DEGREE.
280.45 ANIMAL ABDUCTION IN THE SECOND DEGREE.
280.50 ANIMAL ABDUCTION IN THE FIRST DEGREE.
280.55 UNAUTHORIZED POSSESSION OF ANIMAL PRESUMPTIVE EVIDENCE OF
RESTRAINT AND ABDUCTION.
280.60 APPROPRIATE SHELTER FOR DOGS LEFT OUTDOORS.
280.65 CONFINEMENT OF COMPANION ANIMALS IN VEHICLES; EXTREME
TEMPERATURES.
280.70 LEAVING NEW YORK STATE TO AVOID PROVISIONS OF THIS ARTI-
CLE.
280.75 EVIDENTIARY AND IMPOUNDMENT PROCEDURES BY MEMBERS OF LAW
ENFORCEMENT.
280.80 SPECIAL SENTENCING PROVISIONS APPLICABLE.
§ 280.00 DEFINITIONS.
THE FOLLOWING DEFINITIONS ARE APPLICABLE TO THIS ARTICLE:
1. "ANIMAL" INCLUDES EVERY LIVING CREATURE EXCEPT A HUMAN BEING.
2. "CRUELTY" INCLUDES EVERY ACT, OMISSION, OR NEGLECT, WHEREBY UNJUS-
TIFIABLE PHYSICAL PAIN, SUFFERING OR DEATH IS CAUSED OR PERMITTED AND
SHALL INCLUDE BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO, ANY ACT OF OVERDRIVING, OVERLOAD-
ING, INJURING, MAIMING, MUTILATING, OR KILLING AN ANIMAL.
3. "AGGRAVATED CRUELTY" SHALL MEAN AN ACT OF CRUELTY THAT IS DONE OR
CARRIED OUT IN A DEPRAVED OR SADISTIC MANNER.
4. "TORTURE" MEANS CONDUCT THAT IS INTENDED TO CAUSE EXTREME PAIN.
5. "ADOPTION" MEANS THE DELIVERY OF ANY ANIMAL, SEIZED OR SURRENDERED,
TO ANY NATURAL PERSON EIGHTEEN YEARS OF AGE OR OLDER, FOR THE LIMITED
PURPOSE OF HARBORING SUCH ANIMAL AS A PET.
6. "FARM ANIMAL" MEANS ANY UNGULATE, POULTRY, SPECIES OF CATTLE,
SHEEP, SWINE, GOATS, LLAMAS, HORSES OR FUR-BEARING ANIMALS, AS DEFINED
IN SECTION 11-1907 OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION LAW, WHICH ARE
RAISED FOR COMMERCIAL OR SUBSISTENCE PURPOSES. "FUR-BEARING ANIMAL"
SHALL NOT INCLUDE DOGS OR CATS.
7. "COMPANION ANIMAL" OR "PET" MEANS ANY DOG OR CAT, AND SHALL ALSO
MEAN ANY OTHER DOMESTICATED ANIMAL NORMALLY MAINTAINED IN OR NEAR THE
HOUSEHOLD OF THE OWNER OR PERSON WHO CARES FOR SUCH OTHER DOMESTICATED
ANIMAL. "COMPANION ANIMAL" OR "PET" SHALL NOT INCLUDE A "FARM ANIMAL" AS
DEFINED IN THIS SECTION.
8. "ANIMAL FIGHTING" SHALL MEAN ANY FIGHT BETWEEN COCKS OR OTHER
BIRDS, OR BETWEEN DOGS, BULLS, BEARS OR ANY OTHER ANIMALS, OR BETWEEN
ANY SUCH ANIMAL AND A PERSON OR PERSONS, EXCEPT IN EXHIBITIONS OF A KIND
COMMONLY FEATURED AT RODEOS.
9. "ABANDONS" MEANS ANY ACTION TAKEN THAT REFLECTS WILLFUL DEPARTURE
FROM THE OWNERSHIP, POSSESSION, CARE, CONTROL, CHARGE OR CUSTODY OF AN
ANIMAL, WITHOUT MAKING ADEQUATE PROVISIONS FOR THE ANIMAL'S FUTURE CARE.
10. "RESTRAIN" MEANS TO RESTRICT AN ANIMAL'S MOVEMENTS INTENTIONALLY
AND UNLAWFULLY IN SUCH MANNER AS TO INTERFERE SUBSTANTIALLY WITH ITS
LIBERTY BY MOVING IT FROM ONE PLACE TO ANOTHER, OR BY CONFINING IT
EITHER IN THE PLACE WHERE THE RESTRICTION COMMENCES OR IN A PLACE TO
WHICH IT HAS BEEN MOVED, WITH KNOWLEDGE THAT THE RESTRICTION IS UNLAW-
FUL.
11. "ABDUCT" MEANS TO RESTRAIN AN ANIMAL WITH INTENT TO PREVENT ITS
LIBERATION BY SECRETING OR HOLDING IT IN A PLACE WHERE IT IS NOT LIKELY
TO BE FOUND.
S. 4279 8
12. "ANIMAL FIGHTING PARAPHERNALIA" SHALL MEAN EQUIPMENT, PRODUCTS, OR
MATERIALS OF ANY KIND THAT ARE USED, INTENDED FOR USE, OR DESIGNED FOR
USE IN THE TRAINING, PREPARATION, CONDITIONING OR FURTHERANCE OF ANIMAL
FIGHTING. ANIMAL FIGHTING PARAPHERNALIA INCLUDES: (I) A BREAKING STICK,
WHICH MEANS A DEVICE DESIGNED FOR INSERTION BEHIND THE MOLARS OF A DOG
FOR THE PURPOSE OF BREAKING THE DOG'S GRIP ON ANOTHER ANIMAL OR OBJECT;
(II) A CAT MILL, WHICH MEANS A DEVICE THAT ROTATES AROUND A CENTRAL
SUPPORT WITH ONE ARM DESIGNED TO SECURE A DOG AND ONE ARM DESIGNED TO
SECURE A CAT, RABBIT, OR OTHER SMALL ANIMAL BEYOND THE GRASP OF THE DOG;
(III) A TREADMILL, WHICH MEANS AN EXERCISE DEVICE CONSISTING OF AN
ENDLESS BELT ON WHICH THE ANIMAL WALKS OR RUNS WITHOUT CHANGING PLACES;
(IV) A SPRINGPOLE, WHICH MEANS A BITING SURFACE ATTACHED TO A STRETCHA-
BLE DEVICE, SUSPENDED AT A HEIGHT SUFFICIENT TO PREVENT A DOG FROM
REACHING THE BITING SURFACE WHILE TOUCHING THE GROUND; (V) A FIGHTING
PIT, WHICH MEANS A WALLED AREA, OR OTHERWISE DEFINED AREA, DESIGNED TO
CONTAIN AN ANIMAL FIGHT; AND (VI) ANY OTHER INSTRUMENT COMMONLY USED IN
THE FURTHERANCE OF PITTING AN ANIMAL AGAINST ANOTHER ANIMAL.
§ 280.05 PROMOTING ANIMAL FIGHTING IN THE SECOND DEGREE.
A PERSON IS GUILTY OF PROMOTING ANIMAL FIGHTING IN THE SECOND DEGREE
WHEN SUCH PERSON:
1. OWNS, POSSESSES, OR KEEPS ANY ANIMAL UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCE EVINCING
AN INTENT THAT SUCH ANIMAL ENGAGE IN ANIMAL FIGHTING; OR
2. PAYS AN ADMISSION FEE, MAKES A WAGER, OR IS OTHERWISE PRESENT AT
ANY PLACE WHERE AN EXHIBITION OF ANIMAL FIGHTING IS BEING CONDUCTED, AND
SUCH PERSON HAS KNOWLEDGE THAT SUCH AN EXHIBITION IS BEING CONDUCTED.
3. OWNS, POSSESSES, SELLS, TRANSFERS OR MANUFACTURES ANIMAL FIGHTING
PARAPHERNALIA UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCE EVINCING AN INTENT THAT SUCH
PARAPHERNALIA BE USED TO ENGAGE IN OR OTHERWISE PROMOTE OR FACILITATE
ANIMAL FIGHTING.
PROMOTING ANIMAL FIGHTING IN THE SECOND DEGREE IS A CLASS A MISDEMEA-
NOR.
§ 280.10 PROMOTING ANIMAL FIGHTING IN THE FIRST DEGREE.
A PERSON IS GUILTY OF PROMOTING ANIMAL FIGHTING IN THE FIRST DEGREE
WHEN SUCH PERSON:
1. INTENTIONALLY CAUSES AN ANIMAL TO ENGAGE IN ANIMAL FIGHTING; OR
2. TRAINS AN ANIMAL UNDER CIRCUMSTANCES EVINCING AN INTENT THAT SUCH
ANIMAL ENGAGE IN ANIMAL FIGHTING; OR
3. BREEDS, TRANSFERS, SELLS OR OFFERS FOR SALE AN ANIMAL UNDER CIRCUM-
STANCES EVINCING AN INTENT THAT SUCH ANIMAL ENGAGE IN ANIMAL FIGHTING;
OR
4. PERMITS ANY ACT DESCRIBED IN SUBDIVISION ONE, TWO OR THREE OF THIS
SECTION TO OCCUR ON PREMISES UNDER HIS OR HER CONTROL; OR
5. OWNS, POSSESSES OR KEEPS ANY ANIMAL ON PREMISES WHERE AN EXHIBITION
OF ANIMAL FIGHTING IS BEING CONDUCTED UNDER CIRCUMSTANCES EVINCING AN
INTENT THAT SUCH ANIMAL ENGAGE IN ANIMAL FIGHTING.
PROMOTING ANIMAL FIGHTING IN THE FIRST DEGREE IS A CLASS D FELONY.
§ 280.20 ANIMAL CRUELTY IN THE SECOND DEGREE.
A PERSON IS GUILTY OF ANIMAL CRUELTY IN THE SECOND DEGREE WHEN:
1. HAVING OWNERSHIP, POSSESSION, CARE, CONTROL, CHARGE OR CUSTODY OF
AN ANIMAL, HE OR SHE DEPRIVES SUCH ANIMAL OF, OR NEGLECTS TO FURNISH
SUCH ANIMAL WITH, NUTRITION, HYDRATION, VETERINARY CARE, OR SHELTER
ADEQUATE TO MAINTAIN THE ANIMAL'S HEALTH AND COMFORT, OR CAUSES,
PROCURES, OR PERMITS SUCH ANIMAL TO BE DEPRIVED OF NUTRITION, HYDRATION,
VETERINARY CARE, OR SHELTER ADEQUATE TO MAINTAIN THE ANIMAL'S HEALTH AND
COMFORT, AND HE OR SHE KNOWS OR REASONABLY SHOULD KNOW THAT SUCH ANIMAL
S. 4279 9
IS NOT RECEIVING ADEQUATE NUTRITION, HYDRATION, VETERINARY CARE OR SHEL-
TER; OR
2. HAVING OWNERSHIP, POSSESSION, CARE, CONTROL, CHARGE OR CUSTODY OF
AN ANIMAL, HE OR SHE ABANDONS SUCH ANIMAL; OR
3. HAVING NO JUSTIFIABLE PURPOSE, HE OR SHE KNOWINGLY INSTIGATES,
ENGAGES IN, OR IN ANY WAY FURTHERS CRUELTY TO AN ANIMAL, OR ANY ACT
TENDING TO PRODUCE SUCH CRUELTY; OR
4. HAVING NO JUSTIFIABLE PURPOSE, HE OR SHE ADMINISTERS OR EXPOSES ANY
POISONOUS OR NOXIOUS DRUG OR SUBSTANCE TO AN ANIMAL, WITH INTENT THAT
THE ANIMAL TAKE THE SAME AND WITH INTENT TO INJURE THE ANIMAL.
NOTHING CONTAINED IN THIS SECTION SHALL BE CONSTRUED TO PROHIBIT OR
INTERFERE IN ANY WAY WITH ANYONE LAWFULLY ENGAGED IN HUNTING, TRAPPING,
OR FISHING, AS PROVIDED IN ARTICLE ELEVEN OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVA-
TION LAW, THE DISPATCH OF RABID OR DISEASED ANIMALS, AS PROVIDED IN
ARTICLE TWENTY-ONE OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH LAW, OR THE DISPATCH OF ANIMALS
POSING A THREAT TO HUMAN SAFETY OR OTHER ANIMALS, WHERE SUCH ACTION IS
OTHERWISE LEGALLY AUTHORIZED. NOTHING HEREIN CONTAINED SHALL BE
CONSTRUED TO PROHIBIT OR INTERFERE WITH ANY PROPERLY CONDUCTED SCIENTIF-
IC TESTS, EXPERIMENTS, OR INVESTIGATIONS INVOLVING THE USE OF LIVING
ANIMALS, PERFORMED OR CONDUCTED IN LABORATORIES OR INSTITUTIONS, WHICH
ARE APPROVED FOR THESE PURPOSES BY THE COMMISSIONER OF HEALTH. THE
COMMISSIONER OF HEALTH SHALL PRESCRIBE THE RULES UNDER WHICH SUCH
APPROVALS SHALL BE GRANTED, INCLUDING THEREIN STANDARDS REGARDING THE
CARE AND TREATMENT OF ANY SUCH ANIMALS. SUCH RULES SHALL BE PUBLISHED
AND COPIES THEREOF CONSPICUOUSLY POSTED IN EACH SUCH LABORATORY OR
INSTITUTION. THE STATE COMMISSIONER OF HEALTH OR HIS OR HER DULY AUTHOR-
IZED REPRESENTATIVE SHALL HAVE THE POWER TO INSPECT SUCH LABORATORIES OR
INSTITUTIONS TO INSURE COMPLIANCE WITH SUCH RULES AND STANDARDS. EACH
SUCH APPROVAL MAY BE REVOKED AT ANY TIME FOR FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH SUCH
RULES AND IN ANY CASE THE APPROVAL SHALL BE LIMITED TO A PERIOD NOT
EXCEEDING ONE YEAR.
ANIMAL CRUELTY IN THE SECOND DEGREE IS A CLASS A MISDEMEANOR.
§ 280.25 ANIMAL CRUELTY IN THE FIRST DEGREE.
A PERSON IS GUILTY OF ANIMAL CRUELTY IN THE FIRST DEGREE WHEN:
1. HAVING NO JUSTIFIABLE PURPOSE AND WITH INTENT TO CAUSE THE DEATH OF
A COMPANION ANIMAL, HE OR SHE CAUSES THE DEATH OF SUCH ANIMAL; OR
2. HAVING NO JUSTIFIABLE PURPOSE AND WITH INTENT TO CAUSE SERIOUS
PHYSICAL INJURY TO A COMPANION ANIMAL, HE OR SHE CAUSES SUCH INJURY TO
SUCH ANIMAL; OR
3. HAVING NO JUSTIFIABLE PURPOSE, HE OR SHE INTENTIONALLY TORTURES AN
ANIMAL OR KNOWINGLY INSTIGATES, ENGAGES IN, OR IN ANY WAY FURTHERS
AGGRAVATED CRUELTY TO AN ANIMAL, OR ANY ACT TENDING TO PRODUCE SUCH
AGGRAVATED CRUELTY; OR
4. COMMITS THE CRIME OF ANIMAL CRUELTY IN THE SECOND DEGREE IN
VIOLATION OF SUBDIVISION FOUR OF SECTION 280.20 OF THIS ARTICLE AND SUCH
ANIMAL IS A HORSE, MULE, OR DOMESTIC CATTLE; OR
5. COMMITS THE CRIME OF ANIMAL CRUELTY IN THE SECOND DEGREE IN
VIOLATION OF SECTION 280.20 OF THIS ARTICLE AND HAS PREVIOUSLY BEEN
CONVICTED, WITHIN THE PRECEDING TEN YEARS, OF ANIMAL CRUELTY IN THE
SECOND DEGREE.
NOTHING CONTAINED IN THIS SECTION SHALL BE CONSTRUED TO PROHIBIT OR
INTERFERE IN ANY WAY WITH ANYONE LAWFULLY ENGAGED IN HUNTING, TRAPPING,
OR FISHING, AS PROVIDED IN ARTICLE ELEVEN OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVA-
TION LAW, THE DISPATCH OF RABID OR DISEASED ANIMALS, AS PROVIDED IN
ARTICLE TWENTY-ONE OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH LAW, OR THE DISPATCH OF ANIMALS
POSING A THREAT TO HUMAN SAFETY OR OTHER ANIMALS, WHERE SUCH ACTION IS
S. 4279 10
OTHERWISE LEGALLY AUTHORIZED, OR ANY PROPERLY CONDUCTED SCIENTIFIC
TESTS, EXPERIMENTS, OR INVESTIGATIONS INVOLVING THE USE OF LIVING
ANIMALS, PERFORMED OR CONDUCTED IN LABORATORIES OR INSTITUTIONS APPROVED
FOR SUCH PURPOSES BY THE COMMISSIONER OF HEALTH PURSUANT TO SECTION
280.20 OF THIS ARTICLE.
ANIMAL CRUELTY IN THE FIRST DEGREE IS A CLASS D FELONY.
§ 280.30 UNLAWFUL DEALING WITH ANIMALS USED FOR RACING, BREEDING, OR
COMPETITIVE EXHIBITION OF SKILL, BREED OR STAMINA.
A PERSON IS GUILTY OF UNLAWFUL DEALING WITH ANIMALS USED FOR RACING,
BREEDING, OR COMPETITIVE EXHIBITION OF SKILL, BREED, OR STAMINA WHEN
SUCH PERSON:
1. COMMITS THE CRIME OF ANIMAL CRUELTY IN THE SECOND DEGREE IN
VIOLATION OF SECTION 280.20 OF THIS ARTICLE, AND SUCH ANIMAL IS AN
ANIMAL USED FOR THE PURPOSES OF RACING, BREEDING OR COMPETITIVE EXHIBI-
TION OF SKILL, BREED, OR STAMINA; OR
2. HAVING NO JUSTIFIABLE PURPOSE, HE OR SHE TAMPERS WITH AN ANIMAL
USED FOR THE PURPOSES OF RACING, BREEDING, OR COMPETITIVE EXHIBITION OF
SKILL, BREED, OR STAMINA, OR OTHERWISE INTERFERES WITH SUCH AN ANIMAL
DURING A RACE OR COMPETITIVE EXHIBITION OF SKILL, BREED, OR STAMINA.
UNLAWFUL DEALING WITH ANIMALS USED FOR RACING, BREEDING OR COMPETITIVE
EXHIBITION OF SKILL, BREED OR STAMINA IS A CLASS E FELONY.
§ 280.35 ENDANGERING THE WELFARE OF ANIMALS.
A PERSON IS GUILTY OF ENDANGERING THE WELFARE OF ANIMALS WHEN, WITH
THE INTENT TO CAUSE INJURY TO AN ANIMAL, OR RECKLESSLY CREATING A RISK
THEREOF, SUCH PERSON:
1. CREATES A HAZARDOUS OR PHYSICALLY OFFENSIVE CONDITION FOR ANY
ANIMAL BY ANY ACT THAT SERVES NO LEGITIMATE PURPOSE; OR
2. THROWS, DROPS OR PLACES, OR CAUSES TO BE THROWN, DROPPED OR PLACED
IN A PUBLIC PLACE, A SUBSTANCE THAT MIGHT WOUND, DISABLE, OR INJURE ANY
ANIMAL.
ENDANGERING THE WELFARE OF ANIMALS IS A VIOLATION.
§ 280.40 ANIMAL ABDUCTION IN THE THIRD DEGREE.
A PERSON IS GUILTY OF ANIMAL ABDUCTION IN THE THIRD DEGREE WHEN SUCH
PERSON RESTRAINS A COMPANION ANIMAL WITHOUT THE CONSENT OF THE INDIVID-
UAL HAVING OWNERSHIP, POSSESSION, CARE, CONTROL, CHARGE OR CUSTODY OVER
SAID COMPANION ANIMAL.
ANIMAL ABDUCTION IN THE THIRD DEGREE IS A CLASS B MISDEMEANOR.
§ 280.45 ANIMAL ABDUCTION IN THE SECOND DEGREE.
A PERSON IS GUILTY OF ANIMAL ABDUCTION IN THE SECOND DEGREE WHEN SUCH
PERSON ABDUCTS A COMPANION ANIMAL WITHOUT THE CONSENT OF THE INDIVIDUAL
HAVING OWNERSHIP, POSSESSION, CARE, CONTROL, CHARGE OR CUSTODY OVER SAID
COMPANION ANIMAL.
ANIMAL ABDUCTION IN THE SECOND DEGREE IS A CLASS A MISDEMEANOR.
§ 280.50 ANIMAL ABDUCTION IN THE FIRST DEGREE.
A PERSON IS GUILTY OF ANIMAL ABDUCTION IN THE FIRST DEGREE WHEN SUCH
PERSON ABDUCTS OR RESTRAINS A COMPANION ANIMAL WITHOUT THE CONSENT OF
THE INDIVIDUAL HAVING OWNERSHIP, POSSESSION, CARE, CONTROL, CHARGE OR
CUSTODY OVER SAID COMPANION ANIMAL, AND WHEN:
1. SUCH PERSON'S INTENT IS TO COMPEL THE PAYMENT OR DELIVERANCE OF
MONEY OR PROPERTY AS RANSOM, OR TO ENGAGE IN OTHER PARTICULAR CONDUCT,
OR TO REFRAIN FROM ENGAGING IN PARTICULAR CONDUCT; OR
2. SUCH PERSON CAUSES PHYSICAL INJURY TO THE COMPANION ANIMAL; OR
3. THE COMPANION ANIMAL DIES DURING THE ABDUCTION OR BEFORE IT IS ABLE
TO RETURN OR BE RETURNED TO SAFETY. SUCH DEATH SHALL BE PRESUMED FROM
EVIDENCE THAT THE INDIVIDUAL HAVING OWNERSHIP, POSSESSION, CARE,
CONTROL, CHARGE OR CUSTODY OVER SAID COMPANION ANIMAL DID NOT SEE THE
S. 4279 11
ANIMAL FOLLOWING THE TERMINATION OF THE ABDUCTION AND PRIOR TO TRIAL AND
RECEIVED NO RELIABLE INFORMATION DURING SUCH PERIOD PERSUASIVELY INDI-
CATING THAT SUCH ANIMAL WAS ALIVE.
ANIMAL ABDUCTION IN THE FIRST DEGREE IS A CLASS D FELONY.
§ 280.55 UNAUTHORIZED POSSESSION OF ANIMAL PRESUMPTIVE EVIDENCE OF
RESTRAINT AND ABDUCTION.
THE UNAUTHORIZED POSSESSION OF A COMPANION ANIMAL BY ANY PERSON WITH-
OUT THE CONSENT OF THE INDIVIDUAL HAVING OWNERSHIP, POSSESSION, CARE,
CONTROL, CHARGE OR CUSTODY OVER SAID COMPANION ANIMAL, FOR A PERIOD
EXCEEDING TEN DAYS, WITHOUT NOTIFYING EITHER SAID INDIVIDUAL, THE LOCAL
POLICE AUTHORITIES, THE LOCAL MUNICIPAL SHELTER OR POUND OR THE OFFICE
OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF THE STATE POLICE LOCATED IN ALBANY, NEW YORK,
OF SUCH POSSESSION, SHALL BE PRESUMPTIVE EVIDENCE OF RESTRAINT AND
ABDUCTION.
§ 280.60 APPROPRIATE SHELTER FOR DOGS LEFT OUTDOORS.
1. FOR PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION:
(A) "PHYSICAL CONDITION" SHALL INCLUDE ANY SPECIAL MEDICAL NEEDS OF A
DOG DUE TO DISEASE, ILLNESS, INJURY, AGE OR BREED ABOUT WHICH THE OWNER
OR PERSON WITH CUSTODY OR CONTROL OF THE DOG SHOULD REASONABLY BE AWARE.
(B) "INCLEMENT WEATHER" SHALL MEAN WEATHER CONDITIONS THAT ARE LIKELY
TO ADVERSELY AFFECT THE HEALTH OR SAFETY OF THE DOG, INCLUDING BUT NOT
LIMITED TO RAIN, SLEET, ICE, SNOW, WIND, OR EXTREME HEAT AND COLD.
(C) "DOGS THAT ARE LEFT OUTDOORS" SHALL MEAN DOGS THAT ARE OUTDOORS IN
INCLEMENT WEATHER WITHOUT READY ACCESS TO, OR THE ABILITY TO ENTER, A
HOUSE, APARTMENT BUILDING, OFFICE BUILDING, OR ANY OTHER PERMANENT
STRUCTURE THAT COMPLIES WITH THE STANDARDS ENUMERATED IN PARAGRAPH (B)
OF SUBDIVISION THREE OF THIS SECTION.
2. (A) ANY PERSON WHO OWNS OR HAS CUSTODY OR CONTROL OF A DOG THAT IS
LEFT OUTDOORS SHALL PROVIDE IT WITH SHELTER APPROPRIATE TO ITS BREED,
PHYSICAL CONDITION AND CLIMATE. ANY PERSON WHO KNOWINGLY VIOLATES THE
PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION SHALL BE GUILTY OF A VIOLATION, PUNISHABLE BY
A FINE OF NOT LESS THAN FIFTY DOLLARS NOR MORE THAN ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS
FOR A FIRST OFFENSE, AND A FINE OF NOT LESS THAN ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS NOR
MORE THAN TWO HUNDRED FIFTY DOLLARS FOR A SECOND AND SUBSEQUENT OFFENSE.
BEGINNING SEVENTY-TWO HOURS AFTER A CHARGE OF VIOLATING THIS SECTION,
EACH DAY THAT A DEFENDANT FAILS TO CORRECT THE DEFICIENCIES IN THE DOG
SHELTER FOR A DOG THAT HE OR SHE OWNS OR THAT IS IN HIS OR HER CUSTODY
OR CONTROL AND THAT IS LEFT OUTDOORS, SO AS TO BRING IT INTO COMPLIANCE
WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION SHALL CONSTITUTE A SEPARATE OFFENSE.
(B) THE COURT MAY, IN ITS DISCRETION, REDUCE THE AMOUNT OF ANY FINE
IMPOSED FOR A VIOLATION OF THIS SECTION BY THE AMOUNT WHICH THE DEFEND-
ANT PROVES HE OR SHE HAS SPENT PROVIDING A DOG SHELTER OR REPAIRING AN
EXISTING DOG SHELTER SO THAT IT COMPLIES WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF THIS
SECTION. NOTHING IN THIS PARAGRAPH SHALL PREVENT THE SEIZURE OF A DOG
FOR A VIOLATION OF THIS SECTION PURSUANT TO THE AUTHORITY GRANTED IN
THIS ARTICLE.
3. MINIMUM STANDARDS FOR DETERMINING WHETHER SHELTER IS APPROPRIATE TO
A DOG'S BREED, PHYSICAL CONDITION AND THE CLIMATE SHALL INCLUDE:
(A) FOR DOGS THAT ARE RESTRAINED IN ANY MANNER OUTDOORS, SHADE BY
NATURAL OR ARTIFICIAL MEANS TO PROTECT THE DOG FROM DIRECT SUNLIGHT AT
ALL TIMES WHEN EXPOSURE TO SUNLIGHT IS LIKELY TO THREATEN THE HEALTH OF
THE DOG.
(B) FOR ALL DOGS THAT ARE LEFT OUTDOORS IN INCLEMENT WEATHER, A HOUS-
ING FACILITY, WHICH MUST: (1) HAVE A WATERPROOF ROOF; (2) BE STRUC-
TURALLY SOUND WITH INSULATION APPROPRIATE TO LOCAL CLIMATIC CONDITIONS
AND SUFFICIENT TO PROTECT THE DOG FROM INCLEMENT WEATHER; (3) BE
S. 4279 12
CONSTRUCTED TO ALLOW EACH DOG ADEQUATE FREEDOM OF MOVEMENT TO MAKE
NORMAL POSTURAL ADJUSTMENTS, INCLUDING THE ABILITY TO STAND UP, TURN
AROUND AND LIE DOWN WITH ITS LIMBS OUTSTRETCHED; AND (4) ALLOW FOR
EFFECTIVE REMOVAL OF EXCRETIONS, OTHER WASTE MATERIAL, DIRT AND TRASH.
THE HOUSING FACILITY AND THE AREA IMMEDIATELY SURROUNDING IT SHALL BE
REGULARLY CLEANED TO MAINTAIN A HEALTHY AND SANITARY ENVIRONMENT AND TO
MINIMIZE HEALTH HAZARDS.
4. INADEQUATE SHELTER MAY BE INDICATED BY THE APPEARANCE OF THE HOUS-
ING FACILITY ITSELF, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, SIZE, STRUCTURAL
SOUNDNESS, EVIDENCE OF CROWDING WITHIN THE HOUSING FACILITY, HEALTHFUL
ENVIRONMENT IN THE AREA IMMEDIATELY SURROUNDING SUCH FACILITY, OR BY THE
APPEARANCE OR PHYSICAL CONDITION OF THE DOG.
5. UPON A FINDING OF ANY VIOLATION OF THIS SECTION, ANY DOG OR DOGS
SEIZED PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF THIS ARTICLE THAT HAVE NOT BEEN
VOLUNTARILY SURRENDERED BY THE OWNER OR CUSTODIAN OR FORFEITED PURSUANT
TO COURT ORDER SHALL BE RETURNED TO THE OWNER OR CUSTODIAN ONLY UPON
PROOF THAT APPROPRIATE SHELTER AS REQUIRED BY THIS SECTION IS BEING
PROVIDED.
6. NOTHING IN THIS SECTION SHALL BE CONSTRUED TO AFFECT ANY
PROTECTIONS AFFORDED TO DOGS OR OTHER ANIMALS UNDER ANY OTHER PROVISIONS
OF THIS ARTICLE.
FAILURE TO PROVIDE APPROPRIATE SHELTER FOR DOGS LEFT OUTDOORS IS A
VIOLATION.
§ 280.65 CONFINEMENT OF COMPANION ANIMALS IN VEHICLES; EXTREME TEMPER-
ATURES.
1. A PERSON SHALL NOT CONFINE A COMPANION ANIMAL IN A MOTOR VEHICLE IN
EXTREME HEAT OR COLD WITHOUT PROPER VENTILATION OR OTHER PROTECTION FROM
SUCH EXTREME TEMPERATURES WHERE SUCH CONFINEMENT PLACES THE COMPANION
ANIMAL IN IMMINENT DANGER OF DEATH OR SERIOUS PHYSICAL INJURY DUE TO
EXPOSURE TO SUCH EXTREME HEAT OR COLD.
2. WHERE THE OPERATOR OF SUCH A VEHICLE CANNOT BE PROMPTLY LOCATED, A
POLICE OFFICER, PEACE OFFICER, OR PEACE OFFICER ACTING AS AN AGENT OF A
DULY INCORPORATED HUMANE SOCIETY MAY TAKE NECESSARY STEPS TO REMOVE THE
ANIMAL OR ANIMALS FROM THE VEHICLE.
3. POLICE OFFICERS, PEACE OFFICERS OR PEACE OFFICERS ACTING AS AGENTS
OF A DULY INCORPORATED HUMANE SOCIETY REMOVING AN ANIMAL OR ANIMALS FROM
A VEHICLE PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION SHALL PLACE A WRITTEN NOTICE ON OR IN
THE VEHICLE, BEARING THE NAME OF THE OFFICER OR AGENT, AND THE DEPART-
MENT OR AGENCY AND ADDRESS WHERE THE ANIMAL OR ANIMALS WILL BE TAKEN.
4. AN ANIMAL OR ANIMALS REMOVED FROM A VEHICLE PURSUANT TO THIS
SECTION SHALL, AFTER RECEIPT OF ANY NECESSARY EMERGENCY VETERINARY
TREATMENT, BE DELIVERED TO THE DULY INCORPORATED HUMANE SOCIETY OR SOCI-
ETY FOR THE PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO ANIMALS, OR DESIGNATED AGENT THERE-
OF, IN THE JURISDICTION WHERE THE ANIMAL OR ANIMALS WERE SEIZED.
5. ANY PERSON WHO KNOWINGLY VIOLATES THE PROVISIONS OF SUBDIVISION ONE
OF THIS SECTION SHALL BE GUILTY OF A VIOLATION, PUNISHABLE BY A FINE OF
NOT LESS THAN FIFTY DOLLARS NOR MORE THAN ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS FOR A
FIRST OFFENSE, AND A FINE OF NOT LESS THAN ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS NOR MORE
THAN TWO HUNDRED FIFTY DOLLARS FOR A SECOND AND SUBSEQUENT OFFENSES.
6. OFFICERS SHALL NOT BE HELD CRIMINALLY OR CIVILLY LIABLE FOR ACTIONS
TAKEN REASONABLY AND IN GOOD FAITH IN CARRYING OUT THE PROVISIONS OF
THIS SECTION.
7. NOTHING CONTAINED IN THIS SECTION SHALL BE CONSTRUED TO AFFECT ANY
OTHER PROTECTIONS AFFORDED TO COMPANION ANIMALS UNDER ANY OTHER
PROVISIONS OF THIS ARTICLE.
S. 4279 13
CONFINEMENT OF COMPANION ANIMALS IN VEHICLES; EXTREME TEMPERATURES IS
A VIOLATION.
§ 280.70 LEAVING NEW YORK STATE TO AVOID PROVISIONS OF THIS ARTICLE.
A PERSON WHO LEAVES THIS STATE WITH INTENT TO ELUDE ANY OF THE
PROVISIONS OF THIS ARTICLE OR TO COMMIT ANY ACT OUT OF THIS STATE WHICH
IS PROHIBITED BY THEM OR WHO, BEING A RESIDENT OF THIS STATE, DOES ANY
ACT WITHOUT THIS STATE, PURSUANT TO SUCH INTENT, WHICH WOULD BE PUNISHA-
BLE UNDER SUCH PROVISIONS, IF COMMITTED WITHIN THIS STATE, IS PUNISHABLE
IN THE SAME MANNER AS IF SUCH ACT HAD BEEN COMMITTED WITHIN THIS STATE.
§ 280.75 EVIDENTIARY AND IMPOUNDMENT PROCEDURES BY MEMBERS OF LAW
ENFORCEMENT.
MATTERS RELATING TO THE SEIZURE, ADOPTION, CARE, DISPOSITION AND
DESTRUCTION OF ANIMALS BY MEMBERS OF LAW ENFORCEMENT AND MEMBERS OF A
DULY INCORPORATED SOCIETY FOR THE PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO ANIMALS
CHARGED TO ENFORCE THIS ARTICLE, ANCILLARY TO SUCH ENFORCEMENT OF THIS
ARTICLE, SHALL BE GOVERNED BY ARTICLE TWENTY-SIX OF THE AGRICULTURE AND
MARKETS LAW AND ARTICLE SIX HUNDRED NINETY OF THE CRIMINAL PROCEDURE
LAW.
§ 280.80 SPECIAL SENTENCING PROVISIONS APPLICABLE.
IN ADDITION TO ANY OTHER PENALTY PROVIDED BY LAW, THE SENTENCING
PROVISIONS CONTAINED IN SECTION THREE HUNDRED EIGHTY-FIVE OF THE AGRI-
CULTURE AND MARKETS LAW SHALL BE APPLICABLE TO VIOLATIONS OF THIS ARTI-
CLE.
§ 10. The penal law is amended by adding a new section 60.22 to read
as follows:
§ 60.22 AUTHORIZED DISPOSITIONS; PROMOTING ANIMAL FIGHTING.
WHEN A PERSON IS CONVICTED OF AN OFFENSE DEFINED IN SECTION 280.05 OF
THIS CHAPTER, IN ADDITION TO THE OTHER PENALTIES AS PROVIDED IN THIS
CHAPTER, THE COURT MAY IMPOSE A FINE WHICH SHALL NOT EXCEED FIFTEEN
THOUSAND DOLLARS. WHEN A PERSON IS CONVICTED OF AN OFFENSE DEFINED IN
SECTION 280.10 OF THIS CHAPTER, THE COURT MAY IMPOSE A FINE WHICH SHALL
NOT EXCEED TWENTY-FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS.
§ 11. Paragraph (c) of subdivision 1 of section 70.02 of the penal
law, as amended by chapter 134 of the laws of 2019, is amended to read
as follows:
(c) Class D violent felony offenses: an attempt to commit any of the
class C felonies set forth in paragraph (b); reckless assault of a child
as defined in section 120.02, assault in the second degree as defined in
section 120.05, menacing a police officer or peace officer as defined in
section 120.18, stalking in the first degree, as defined in subdivision
one of section 120.60, strangulation in the second degree as defined in
section 121.12, rape in the second degree as defined in section 130.30,
criminal sexual act in the second degree as defined in section 130.45,
sexual abuse in the first degree as defined in section 130.65, course of
sexual conduct against a child in the second degree as defined in
section 130.80, aggravated sexual abuse in the third degree as defined
in section 130.66, facilitating a sex offense with a controlled
substance as defined in section 130.90, labor trafficking as defined in
paragraphs (a) and (b) of subdivision three of section 135.35, criminal
possession of a weapon in the third degree as defined in subdivision
five, six, seven, eight, nine or ten of section 265.02, criminal sale of
a firearm in the third degree as defined in section 265.11, intimidating
a victim or witness in the second degree as defined in section 215.16,
soliciting or providing support for an act of terrorism in the second
degree as defined in section 490.10, and making a terroristic threat as
defined in section 490.20, falsely reporting an incident in the first
S. 4279 14
degree as defined in section 240.60, placing a false bomb or hazardous
substance in the first degree as defined in section 240.62, placing a
false bomb or hazardous substance in a sports stadium or arena, mass
transportation facility or enclosed shopping mall as defined in section
240.63, aggravated unpermitted use of indoor pyrotechnics in the first
degree as defined in section 405.18, [and] criminal manufacture, sale,
or transport of an undetectable firearm, rifle or shotgun as defined in
section 265.50, AND ANIMAL CRUELTY IN THE FIRST DEGREE AS DEFINED IN
SUBDIVISION ONE, TWO OR THREE OF SECTION 280.25.
§ 12. Section 195.06 of the penal law, as added by chapter 42 of the
laws of 1986, is amended to read as follows:
§ 195.06 Killing or injuring a police animal.
A person is guilty of killing or injuring a police animal when such
person intentionally kills or injures any animal while such animal is in
the performance of its duties and under the supervision of a police or
peace officer.
Killing or injuring a police animal is a class [A misdemeanor] D FELO-
NY.
§ 13. Section 195.11 of the penal law, as added by chapter 344 of the
laws of 1989, is amended to read as follows:
§ 195.11 Harming an animal trained to aid a person with a disability in
the second degree.
A person is guilty of harming an animal trained to aid a person with a
disability in the second degree when such person intentionally causes
physical injury to such animal while it is in the performance of aiding
a person with a disability, and thereby renders such animal incapable of
providing such aid to such person, or to another person with a disabili-
ty.
For purposes of this section and section 195.12 of this article, the
term "disability" means "disability" as defined in subdivision twenty-
one of section two hundred ninety-two of the executive law.
Harming an animal trained to aid a person with a disability in the
second degree is a class [B] A misdemeanor.
§ 14. Section 195.12 of the penal law, as added by chapter 344 of the
laws of 1989, is amended to read as follows:
§ 195.12 Harming an animal trained to aid a person with a disability in
the first degree.
A person is guilty of harming an animal trained to aid a person with a
disability in the first degree when such person:
1. intentionally causes physical injury to such animal while it is in
the performance of aiding a person with a disability, and thereby
renders such animal permanently incapable of providing such aid to such
person, or to another person with a disability; or
2. intentionally kills such animal while it is in the performance of
aiding a person with a disability.
Harming an animal trained to aid a person with a disability in the
first degree is a class [A misdemeanor] D FELONY.
§ 15. Subdivision 2 of section 265.01 of the penal law, as amended by
chapter 146 of the laws of 2019, is amended to read as follows:
(2) He or she possesses any dagger, dangerous knife, dirk, machete,
razor, stiletto, imitation pistol, undetectable knife or any other
dangerous or deadly instrument or weapon with intent to use the same
unlawfully against another PERSON OR AN ANIMAL; or
§ 16. Severability clause. If any clause, sentence, paragraph, subdi-
vision, section or part of this act shall be adjudged by any court of
competent jurisdiction to be invalid, such judgment shall not affect,
S. 4279 15
impair, or invalidate the remainder thereof, but shall be confined in
its operation to the clause, sentence, paragraph, subdivision, section
or part thereof directly involved in the controversy in which such judg-
ment shall have been rendered. It is hereby declared to be the intent of
the legislature that this act would have been enacted even if such
invalid provisions had not been included herein.
§ 17. This act shall take effect on the first of November next
succeeding the date on which it shall have become a law.
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