New York’s Senate Advocates for Animals

The New York State is putting a bite on crimes against animals.

Albany went to the dogs, and cats, and birds and other pets June 3 as the Senate held its annual Animal Advocacy Day.

The Senate passed a number of measures:

* Double the jail time for people who commit acts of cruelty to animals in front of children to four years

* Double the maximum fine of misdemeanor abandonment of animals to $2,000

* make the theft of a pet a felony grand larceny offense

* increase the penalties for leaving a companion animal in a vehicle in extreme hot or cold temperatures with a first offense a fine of $250-$500 and $500-$1,000 for repeat offenses.  That legislation would also permit police officers to remove animals from vehicles if they face injury or death.

* allow domestic companion animals on any public transportation in the event of a state of emergency and evacuation

* require dogs and cats that have worked as research animals to be offered for placement with non-profit animal rescues and shelters prior to euthanization

* Establish March 13 as “K9 Veterans Day to recognize the contribution of dogs in the U.S. Military

* set at least one day a week as a free admission day at the Bronx Zoo

* allow paramedics to transport injured law enforcement canines to the nearest animal hospital or veterinary clinic when they are injured in the line of duty

* remove the word “serious” from the “serious physical injury” language in the felony animal cruelty statue to close a legal loophole to ensure offenders cannot be given a lesser punishment because the severity of the animal’s injury is not up for interpretation.

The bills have been sent on to the Assembly.

The legislature has only two weeks left in its regular session.