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Gov. Cuomo will sign legislation Wednesday raising the fines for stealing a 'companion animal' from $200 to $1,000, the Daily News has learned. Cuomo also approved keeping the Aqueduct race track in Queens open until 6 a.m
ALBANY — A new law is adding some bite to penalties against dognappers in New York.
Gov. Cuomo is set to sign legislation Wednesday that boosts the fines for mistreating or stealing “companion animals” from $200 to $1,000, the Daily News has learned.
“For many New Yorkers, a pet can be an extension of their family — which is why pet theft is a particularly heartless offense,” Cuomo said. “Increasing the penalties for stealing or harming dogs, cats and other animals is an important way that we can crack down on this crime.”
The legislation, approved by the Assembly and Senate in June, marks the first time in 40 years lawmakers have increased the penalty for stealing pets. The law already contains a provision allowing for jail terms of up to six months for pet theft.
“Clearly, (the $200 fine) is not in any way a deterrent,” said Westchester Assemblyman Steven Otis, a Democrat, who introduced the measure. “It is unacceptable that this has not been increased in 44 years.”
The American Kennel Club reports that dog thefts in the United States rose from 71 in 2008 to 609 in 2013. Last year’s figure marked a 33% increase from the 458 dogs reported stolen in 2012.
So far this year, 327 dogs have been reported stolen, including 13 in New York, the club reported.
“People are stealing other people’s purebred dogs and then reselling them,” said Libby Post, executive director of the New York State Animal Protection Federation.
The influx of dogfighting rings has also led to a surge in dog thefts, Post added.
Post said there’s a need for still-tougher penalties.
“There are those of us in the animal rights community who would like to see these people put in jail, but that is not going to happen because animals, under the law are seen as a property,” Post said.
Cuomo signed more than 90 other bills Tuesday, including one that lets virtual casinos like the one at Aqueduct race track in Queens stay open until 6 a.m. instead of the current 4 a.m.
Other bills would provide anti-discrimination protections to unpaid interns and reauthorize the city’s red-light traffic camera program for another five years.
EXCLUSIVE: Cuomo sets to boost fines for mistreating, stealing pets - NY Daily News
ALBANY — A new law is adding some bite to penalties against dognappers in New York.
Gov. Cuomo is set to sign legislation Wednesday that boosts the fines for mistreating or stealing “companion animals” from $200 to $1,000, the Daily News has learned.
“For many New Yorkers, a pet can be an extension of their family — which is why pet theft is a particularly heartless offense,” Cuomo said. “Increasing the penalties for stealing or harming dogs, cats and other animals is an important way that we can crack down on this crime.”
The legislation, approved by the Assembly and Senate in June, marks the first time in 40 years lawmakers have increased the penalty for stealing pets. The law already contains a provision allowing for jail terms of up to six months for pet theft.
“Clearly, (the $200 fine) is not in any way a deterrent,” said Westchester Assemblyman Steven Otis, a Democrat, who introduced the measure. “It is unacceptable that this has not been increased in 44 years.”
The American Kennel Club reports that dog thefts in the United States rose from 71 in 2008 to 609 in 2013. Last year’s figure marked a 33% increase from the 458 dogs reported stolen in 2012.
So far this year, 327 dogs have been reported stolen, including 13 in New York, the club reported.
“People are stealing other people’s purebred dogs and then reselling them,” said Libby Post, executive director of the New York State Animal Protection Federation.
The influx of dogfighting rings has also led to a surge in dog thefts, Post added.
Post said there’s a need for still-tougher penalties.
“There are those of us in the animal rights community who would like to see these people put in jail, but that is not going to happen because animals, under the law are seen as a property,” Post said.
Cuomo signed more than 90 other bills Tuesday, including one that lets virtual casinos like the one at Aqueduct race track in Queens stay open until 6 a.m. instead of the current 4 a.m.
Other bills would provide anti-discrimination protections to unpaid interns and reauthorize the city’s red-light traffic camera program for another five years.
EXCLUSIVE: Cuomo sets to boost fines for mistreating, stealing pets - NY Daily News