Grisanti Bill Increases Criminal Penalties for Animal Cruelty During Commission of a Felony

Just recently, according to The Buffalo News an “incident occurred sometime between 6 p.m. Monday and 3:15 a.m. Tuesday, when the resident returned home to find that the front door of his Woodlawn Avenue home had been kicked in. The resident also found his dog stabbed, and Northeast District police said the dog died of its injuries.”

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“What we recently saw is a despicable act. I hope the person who did this is arrested and prosecuted to the fullest extent under the law. I will not tolerate this cowardly act, nor will the people in our community,” said Senator Grisanti.

Senate Bill S. 5112 which was introduced today would fix a loophole. Current law defines aggravated cruelty to an animal as occurring when it is intended to cause extreme physical pain or is done in an especially depraved or sadistic manner.

This section of law does not cover instances where a companion animal is killed or seriously injured during the commission of a felony.  An individual who is committing a felony has already undertaken a serious violation of the law, and they should be subject to this section of law when they kill or seriously injure a companion animal.

“Unfortunately while the robbery is a felony, the act of killing the dog does not trigger an appropriate punishment, said Senator Grisanti.”

Recently, Senator Mark Grisanti was awarded the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA)  Humane Leadership Award. Senator Grisanti is also a proud owner of two dogs, Fredo (Bicho) and Kody  (Schipperke).