New York bill A00850 establishes new crimes for cruelty to animals intended to threaten, intimidate, or harass family members, with harsher penalties.

New York bill A00850 amends the penal law by adding two new sections: cruelty to animals to threaten, intimidate, or harass in the second degree and cruelty to animals to threaten, intimidate, or harass in the first degree when in the presence of a minor child. The second-degree crime involves intentionally injuring or killing a companion animal without justifiable purpose to threaten, intimidate, or harass a family or household member. The first-degree crime occurs when the same act is committed in the presence of a minor child. Both are felonies, with the first-degree being more severe.

New York bill A00850 establishes new crimes for cruelty to animals intended to threaten, intimidate, or harass family members, with harsher penalties.

New York bill A00850 amends the penal law by adding two new sections: cruelty to animals to threaten, intimidate, or harass in the second degree and cruelty to animals to threaten, intimidate, or harass in the first degree when in the presence of a minor child. The second-degree crime involves intentionally injuring or killing a companion animal without justifiable purpose to threaten, intimidate, or harass a family or household member. The first-degree crime occurs when the same act is committed in the presence of a minor child. Both are felonies, with the first-degree being more severe.