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Senate agriculture committee approves multi-bill animal welfare package
Summary
The Senate Agriculture Committee approved a package of bills amending the Agriculture and Markets Law on animal cruelty, abandonment, shelter contributions, officer powers, property inspections for abandoned animals and restrictions on surgical devocalization.
The Senate Agriculture Committee on an unspecified date advanced a package of bills amending the Agriculture and Markets Law to strengthen penalties and protections related to animal cruelty, abandonment and shelter funding.
Committee members reported or approved multiple bills by voice vote, moving them out of committee for consideration by the full Senate. Sponsors and committee members described the measures as an "animal package" addressing aggravated cruelty, voluntary donations to municipal pounds, penalties for abandonment, powers of peace officers, inspections of vacated properties for abandoned animals, and restrictions on surgical devocalization of dogs and cats.
Committee chair opened the meeting and introduced the first bill, S197 (sponsor: Senator Martinez), described as amending the Agriculture and Markets Law "in relation to sentencing for the crime of aggravated cruelty to animals." The committee moved to report the bill; Senator Brooke moved the motion and Senator Burrell seconded it. The motion carried; the committee chair said, "That bill moves." Senators in attendance included the sponsor and multiple committee members who voiced support.
Other bills moved by the committee included S703 (Sen. Cooper) addressing aggravated cruelty; S1373 (Sen. Serrano) to add an optional registration check-off to allow voluntary contributions in support of municipal animal pounds or shelters (committee members described a hypothetical registration fee of $50 with an optional $10 contribution to illustrate the mechanism); S1741 (Sen. Martinez) increasing penalties for abandonment of animals; S1743 (Sen. Martinez) clarifying or expanding powers of peace officers in animal cases; S1784 (Sen. Hinchey) requiring owners or lessors of vacated properties to inspect for abandoned animals; and S3026 (Sen. Giannares) restricting surgical devocalization procedures on dogs and cats. Each bill was moved and seconded and the chair announced each bill "moves." Several senators said they hoped the Assembly/other house would take up the package.
Committee discussion included practical enforcement questions and clarifications. A senator asked how enforcement would proceed when animals are found abandoned in seasonal rental properties; members answered that enforcement generally involves the Agriculture and Markets enforcement authority and local law enforcement, including county sheriffs in some counties, and that larger shelters sometimes have enforcement arrangements with local authorities. Senator Martinez noted that one bill sets a minimum penalty to provide a deterrent for abandonment. On S1373, committee members clarified the mechanism as an optional check-off at registration, allowing a registrant to add a voluntary amount at the point of payment.
Votes at a glance: - S197 (Martinez) — Amend Agriculture and Markets Law re: sentencing for aggravated cruelty to animals. Motion to report moved by Senator Brooke, seconded by Senator Burrell. Committee action: moved/approved. - S703 (Cooper) — Amend Agriculture and Markets Law re: aggravated cruelty to animals. Committee action: moved/approved. - S1373 (Serrano) — Voluntary contributions in support of municipal animal pounds/shelters (optional check-off at registration). Motion moved by Senator Borrello, seconded by Senator Ryan. Committee action: moved/approved. - S1741 (Martinez) — Amend penalty for abandonment of animals. Motion moved by Senator Fernandez, seconded by Senator Webb. Committee action: moved/approved. - S1743 (Martinez) — Powers of peace officers in animal cases. Motion moved by Senator Bridal, seconded by Senator Webb. Committee action: moved/approved. - S1784 (Hinchey) — Require owners/lessors of vacated properties to inspect for abandoned animals. Committee action: moved/approved. - S3026 (Giannares) — Restrict surgical devocalization procedures on dogs and cats. Motion moved by Senator Borrello, seconded by Senator Ryan and Senator Oberacher. Committee action: moved/approved.
Committee members emphasized shelters and enforcement avenues as critical to implementation and said they would coordinate with the other legislative chamber to advance the package. The chair adjourned the committee after the bills were reported.
