The New York Senate Domestic Animal Welfare Committee will hold its first meeting of the year on Wednesday, January 15.
Bills to be considered in this hearing include:
Senate Bill 3559 – Current law establishes fines for those who knowingly violate state law requiring that dogs left outdoors be provided with appropriate shelter for the breed, physical condition and climate. This bill would increase those penalties, but does not change the underlying law regarding appropriate outdoor shelter.
Senate Bill 5807A – Current law caps sentencing for the crime of aggravated cruelty to animals. This bill would remove that cap and leave sentencing to the court’s discretion.
Senate Bill 3412 – This bill addresses the issue of animals abandoned after evictions, foreclosures, lease terminations, etc. Those who are authorized to be on the property are required to contact animal control within six hours if they are in a property that has been subject to evictions, etc., and see an animal that, based on its condition or lack of available food or water, appears to be abandoned.
The committee will also consider Senate Bill 94, which reorganizes and clarifies laws regarding animal fighting.
AKC Government Relations continues to closely monitor this committee’s activities , as it is the primary Senate committee where bills impacting dog owners have been assigned. We will provide updates on these and other New York committee hearings as they become available.
For questions or more information, contact AKC Government Relations at doglaw@akc.org.