Senator Addabbo Advocates For Enhanced Animal Welfare Protections on Animal Advocacy Day

Queens, NY (April 9, 2025): In recognition of Animal Advocacy Day, NYS Senator Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr. continues his commitment towards an animal’s well-being by co-sponsoring critical legislation to strengthen animal welfare laws across New York State.

“Protecting animals from cruelty and ensuring their safety is a responsibility we all share,” said Senator Addabbo. “These legislative measures are designed to enhance animal protections, and most importantly, hold those who mistreat them accountable.”

The package of bills co-sponsored by Addabbo includes:

• S.197 – Enacts “Tucker’s Law,” which permits sentencing for aggravated animal cruelty to up to four years, aligning it with default sentencing for Class E felonies. The current maximum sentence for aggravated animal cruelty is two years.
• S.252 – Expands the existing "wild animal" sale and possession ban to include certain "exotic animals" such as marsupials, sloths, anteaters, hyenas, bearcats, and zebras, to name a few.
• S.703 – Eliminate the word “serious” from the “serious physical injury” language of the Agriculture and Markets law relating to aggravated cruelty to animals to ensure someone physically harming an animal is appropriately penalized when they have impaired its physical condition or caused substantial pain. The previous standard only applied to permanent physical injury caused to an animal.
• S.1784 – Requires property owners and lessors to inspect vacated properties for abandoned animals within three days and immediately notify the appropriate authorities when an animal is found and appears to be abandoned, ensuring that pets left behind are promptly rescued and cared for.

“These legislative initiatives represent significant steps forward in our ongoing efforts to protect animals and promote responsible ownership,” Addabbo continued. “On Animal Advocacy Day, we honor the dedication of advocates and organizations who tirelessly work to give animals a voice. I encourage New Yorkers to support local animal shelters and participate in efforts to prevent animal cruelty.”

After approval by the Senate, the package of bills was delivered to the appropriate Assembly committee for consideration.