SEN. FARLEY REPORTS SENATE PASSES BILL TO PREVENT ANIMAL ABANDONMENT

State Senator Hugh T. Farley (R, C, I – Schenectady) announced that he and his colleagues in the New York State Senate passed a bill (S410) to protect animals and prevent their abandonment. The measure would increase the penalties for owners who abandon their animals and jeopardize their health and safety.

Several recent cases of dogs abandoned in freezing cold weather have occurred this winter, including a dog whose paws had frozen to the ground in New York City’s Prospect Park, and a dog left tied to a pole along a busy roadway in Albany on a frigid night. This bill would increase the punishment for abandonment of animals to a maximum sentence of one year in jail or $2,000 or both – up from a sentence of one year or $1,000 fine or both.

The bill has been sent to the Assembly.

The Senate today also gave final passage to legislation recognizing the important contributions of dogs in serving and assisting in New York’s communities. The bill (S6382A) clarifies a law passed last year designating the working dog as the official dog of New York State. The definition of working dogs would be expanded to include guide dogs; therapy dogs; police and military dogs; and dogs trained to herd animals, protect livestock, or control wildlife, among other helpful services trained dogs provide.

The bill will be sent to the Governor.