Int 1567-2019
Increased fines and penalties for animal abuse.
IntroductionFiledCommittee on Healthintroduced 2019-05-29
Filed — closed without being enacted.
Official record · Legistar
Agenda: 2019-05-29Passed: 2021-12-31
Summary
This legislation would increase the fine and civil penalties for persons engaging in animal abuse. Specifically, the legislation would increase fines for persons restraining animals outside for longer than three continuous hours in any continuous 12 hour period for up to $500 for the first offense, up to $750 for any subsequent offense, and up to an additional $1000 civil penalty. It would also prohibit animal abuse, punishable with a fine up to $500 for the first offense and up to $750 for any subsequent offense, and an additional civil penalty for up to $1000.
Committee on Health — Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Office of the Chief Medical Examiner and EMS (health-related issues).
How it compares
24% of similar bills passed
12 passed · 38 died
This bill: 947 days in committee
Similar bills: median 671 days · 215 days when passed
Compared against 50 Introduction bills in Committee on Health.
Ranked by how closely each matches this bill's topic — closest first:
Int 0425-2010
Prohibiting restraining animals outdoors for longer than three continuous hours in any continuous twelve-hour period.
61dEnacted
Int 0556-2011
Prohibiting restraining animals outdoors for longer than three continuous hours.
978dFiled
Int 0545-2007
Prohibiting pet owners from restraining animals outdoors for longer than three hours in any continuous twelve hour period.
1023dFiled
Int 0616-2007
Increasing civil penalties for owning of harboring a dangerous dog.
862dFiled
Int 0484-2011
Increasing civil penalties for owning of harboring a dangerous dog.
1049dFiled
Int 1265-2016
Creating a penalty for leaving a companion animal outside during inclement weather conditions and subjecting violators to the registration requirements of the Animal Abuse Registry.
473dFiled
+ 44 more comparable bills
Sponsors (3)
Lifecycle
IntroducedIntroduced by Council
2019-05-29 · City Council
ActionReferred to Comm by Council
2019-05-29 · City Council
HeardHearing Held by Committee
2019-06-18 · Committee on Health
HeldLaid Over by Committee
2019-06-18 · Committee on Health
ClosedFiled (End of Session)
2021-12-31 · City Council
Heard at (2)
Committee on Health · 2019-06-18 · 10:00 AM · Council Chambers - City Hall
City Council · 2019-05-29 · 1:30 PM · Council Chambers - City Hall
Attachments (9)
- Summary of Int. No. 1567
- Int. No. 1567
- May 29, 2019 - Stated Meeting Agenda with Links to Files
- Hearing Transcript - Stated Meeting 5-29-19
- Minutes of the Stated Meeting - May 29, 2019
- Minutes of the Recessed Meeting of May 29, 2019 Held on June 13, 2019
- Committee Report 6/18/19
- Hearing Testimony 6/18/19
- Hearing Transcript 6/18/19
Full text
Be it enacted by the Council as follows:
Section 1. Subdivision c of section 17-197 of chapter 1 of title 17 of the administrative code of the city of New York is amended to read as follows:
c. Any person who violates the provisions of this section or any of the rules promulgated thereunder shall, for a first offense, be guilty of a violation punishable by a fine not to exceed [two hundred fifty dollars] $500, provided that such person shall be issued a written warning instead of such fine for such first offense where such animal was not injured as a result of being restrained in violation of this section. For any subsequent offense within a continuous [twelve-] 12 month period, such person shall be guilty of a class B misdemeanor punishable by a fine not to exceed [five hundred dollars] $750 or by imprisonment of not more than three months, or both. In addition to such penalties, any person who violates this section shall be liable for a civil penalty of not less than [two hundred fifty dollars] $500 nor more than [five hundred dollars] $1000.
� 2. Chapter 1 of title 17 of the administrative code of the city of New York is amended by adding a new section 17-197.1 to read as follows:
�17-197.1 Penalties for torturing and abusing animals. a. Definitions. For the purposes of this section, the following terms have the following meanings:
Animal abuse. The term "animal abuse" means the same as defined in section 17-1601.
b. Any person who engages in animal abuse shall for a first offense, be guilty of a violation punishable by a fine not to exceed $500, provided that such person shall be issued a written warning instead of such fine for such first offense where such animal was not injured as a result of being restrained in violation of this section. For any subsequent offense within a continuous 12 month period, such person shall be punishable by a fine not to exceed $750. In addition to such penalties, any person who violates this section shall be liable for a civil penalty of not less than $500 nor more than $1000.
b. Authorized officers, veterinarians and employees of the department, agents of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and any other persons designated by the commissioner shall be empowered to enforce the provisions of this section or any rule promulgated hereunder. Violations of this section may be supported by evidence including, but not limited to, time-stamped photographs and video, records of complaints, and sworn witness statements.
d. The provisions of this section shall not be construed to prohibit the department, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals or any law enforcement officer from enforcing any other law, rule or regulation regarding the humane treatment of animals.
e. The provisions of subdivision b of this section shall not apply to the officers or employees of any federal, state or city law enforcement agency.
� 3. This local law takes effect immediately.
NJC
LS# 9173
5/9/2019
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