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New York Senate Bill S01742
New York 2025-2026 Regular Session
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New York 2025-2026 Regular Session

New York Senate Bill S01742

Introduced
1/13/25  
Refer
1/13/25  
Refer
1/7/26  

Caption

Increases the penalty of knowingly violating the provisions relating to the appropriate shelter for dogs from a violation to a misdemeanor, punishable by imprisonment for not more than one year, or by a fine not less than five hundred dollars nor more than one thousand dollars, or by both.

Summary

S01742 would amend New York’s Agriculture and Markets Law to strengthen the penalty for knowingly failing to provide appropriate shelter to a dog left outdoors. Under current law, a first or repeat knowing violation is treated as a violation with relatively low fines; this bill would reclassify that conduct as a misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail, a fine of $500 to $1,000, or both. The bill also preserves the existing rule that, beginning 72 hours after a charge is filed, each day the shelter deficiency remains uncorrected counts as a separate offense. The measure is aimed at dog welfare and animal cruelty enforcement, and it would make the shelter requirement significantly more serious in criminal terms. It would not change the underlying duty to provide shelter appropriate to the dog’s breed, physical condition, and climate, but it would increase the consequences for knowingly violating that duty. The bill takes effect 90 days after becoming law.

Impact

The bill would amend section 353-b of the Agriculture and Markets Law by elevating a knowing violation of the outdoor dog shelter requirement from a non-criminal violation to a misdemeanor. This would increase potential penalties for dog owners or custodians who fail to provide adequate shelter, and it could give prosecutors and animal control authorities a stronger enforcement tool in cases involving outdoor dogs. The daily separate-offense provision after 72 hours would remain in place, continuing to expose noncompliant defendants to additional charges until the shelter is brought into compliance.

Sentiment

The available legislative history suggests generally favorable sentiment toward the bill. The Senate Agriculture Committee approved it unanimously, 9-0, indicating support among committee members for tougher enforcement of dog shelter standards. No committee transcript or recorded floor debate was provided, so there is no evidence in the record here of organized opposition or detailed debate over the proposal.

Contention

The main point of potential contention is the severity of the penalty increase. Supporters are likely to view misdemeanor treatment as a necessary deterrent for knowingly leaving dogs without proper shelter, while opponents could argue that the bill turns conduct previously treated as a lower-level offense into a criminal misdemeanor with possible jail time and higher fines. Another possible issue is enforcement discretion, since the bill would give authorities greater leverage in animal welfare cases and could affect pet owners, breeders, farmers, and others who keep dogs outdoors.

Latest NY S01742 Activity

View All Events: NY 2025-2026 Regular Session S01742

Companion Bills

NY A11276

Same As Increases the penalty of knowingly violating the provisions relating to the appropriate shelter for dogs from a violation to a misdemeanor

Previously Filed As

NY A11276

Increases the penalty of knowingly violating the provisions relating to the appropriate shelter for dogs from a violation to a misdemeanor, punishable by imprisonment for not more than one year, or by a fine not less than five hundred dollars nor more than one thousand dollars, or by both.

NY A07950

Provides that the penalty for the abandonment of animals is a misdemeanor, punishable by imprisonment for not more than one year, or by a fine of not less than five hundred dollars nor more than one thousand dollars, or by both.

NY S01741

Provides that the penalty for the abandonment of animals is a misdemeanor, punishable by imprisonment for not more than one year, or by a fine of not less than five hundred dollars nor more than one thousand dollars, or by both.

NY S3042

Bans street takeovers and violators would be guilty of a felony and punishable by imprisonment for more than one year and be subject to a fine of not less than one thousand dollars ($1,000) nor more than five thousand dollars ($5,000).

NY A00862

Prohibits the taking of zoo, petting zoo, carnival or circus animals; provides that violations shall be punishable by a fine of not less than five hundred dollars nor more than two thousand dollars.

NY A05792

Increases the monetary penalties for the crimes of aggravated harassment in the first or second degrees or for discrimination; provides that such penalty shall be not less than five hundred dollars nor more than twenty-five hundred dollars for the first violation and not less than twenty-five hundred dollars nor more than twelve thousand five hundred dollars for each subsequent violation.

NY S2397

Increases penalties for a second or subsequent offense with a fine of not less than $500 or no more than $2,500 and up to 2 years imprisonment, for violating the law on the care of dogs.

NY H7487

Increases penalties for a second or subsequent offense with a fine of not less than $500 or no more than $2,500 and up to 2 years imprisonment, for violating the law on the care of dogs.

NY A03112

Establishes that any person who knowingly engages in a repeated course of cyberbullying of a minor is guilty of an unclassified misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not more than one thousand dollars, or by a period of imprisonment not to exceed one year, or both.

NY A02641

Establishes that any person who knowingly engages in a repeated course of cyberbullying of a minor is guilty of an unclassified misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not more than one thousand dollars, or by a period of imprisonment not to exceed one year, or both.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.