New York S 9569: Relates to companion animals

Bill Text

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S09569 Summary:

BILL NOS09569 

&nbsp

SAME ASSAME AS A11094

&nbsp

SPONSORMARTINEZ

&nbsp

COSPNSRADDABBO, MATTERA, MURRAY, SCARCELLA-SPANTON

&nbsp

MLTSPNSR

&nbsp

Add Art 243 §243.00, Pen L

&nbsp

Provides that companion animals, as sentient beings, shall be considered victims of animal cruelty crimes, including but not limited to all offenses as defined in article twenty-six of the agriculture and markets law, and shall be treated as such in a court of law.

Go to top S09569 Actions:

BILL NOS09569 

&nbsp

03/25/2026REFERRED TO CODES

Go to topS09569 Committee&nbspVotes:

Go to topS09569 Floor&nbspVotes:

There are no Assembly votes for this bill in this legislative session.

Go to topS09569 Text:

 STATE OF NEW YORK
 ________________________________________________________________________

 9569

 IN SENATE

 March 25, 2026
 ___________

 Introduced by Sen. MARTINEZ -- read twice and ordered printed, and when
 printed to be committed to the Committee on Codes

 AN ACT to amend the penal law, in relation to companion animals

 The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem-
 bly, do enact as follows:

 1 Section 1. The penal law is amended by adding a new article 243 to
 2 read as follows:
 3 ARTICLE 243
 4 COMPANION ANIMALS
 5 Section 243.00 Companion animals are sentient beings.
 6 § 243.00 Companion animals are sentient beings.
 7 1. Companion animals, including dogs, cats, and such other animals as
 8 defined in section three hundred fifty of the agriculture and markets
 9 law, are sentient beings capable of experiencing pain, stress, and fear,
 10 as well as love and affection, and are entitled to respect and consider-
 11 ation, protection from abuse, neglect, and cruelty, and the maximization
 12 of their welfare. For that reason, such companion animals shall be
 13 considered victims of animal cruelty crimes, including but not limited
 14 to all offenses as defined in article twenty-six of the agriculture and
 15 markets law, and shall be treated as such in a court of law.
 16 2. Nothing in this section shall be construed to reduce any
 17 protections afforded to any animal under any other provision of law,
 18 rule or regulation or article twenty-six of the agriculture and markets
 19 law.
 20 § 2. This act shall take effect immediately.

 EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
 [ ] is old law to be omitted.
 LBD15142-02-6

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