BILL NUMBER: S1507
SPONSOR: O'MARA
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the agriculture and markets law, in relation to includ-
ing reckless operation of a motor vehicle resulting in the death or
serious injury of a companion animal as aggravated animal cruelty
 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
To establish a crime for killing or injuring a companion animal while
recklessly operating a motor vehicle.
 
SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:
This legislation amends the current crime of aggravated cruelty to
animals to include acts that cause the death or cause serious physical
injury to a companion animal while recklessly operating a motor vehicle.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
Companion animals provide unconditional love to the families to which
they belong. They are often thought of as members of the family, which
makes their injury or death extremely traumatic to those who love them.
On August 18, 2018 at approximately 8:45 AM in the Town of Horseheads,
two companion dogs, Molly and Lucy, while being walked on leashes by
their owner were struck and killed by a reckless driver. Thankfully,
their owner escaped physical harm but the traumatic loss of his two
beloved dogs was a very sad event. Unfortunately, there was no adequate
penalty for the deaths caused by the driver other than a traffic
summons.
This bill makes such acts a class E felony.
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2017: S8080
2019: S935
2021: S5445
2023: S2183
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall have
become law.

Statutes affected:
S1507: 353-a agriculture and markets law, 353-a(1) agriculture and markets law