Tuesday marked the third annual Animal Advocacy Day in Albany. Animal supporters lobbied their local legislators to raise awareness for the need to protect their favorite four-legged creatures.
Two pit bull puppies left to die in Albany were featured during the event in the Legislative Office Building, one that now has an artificial paw. Also present was a Jack Russell Terrier named Phoenix who was burned by a teenager in Buffalo. Lawmakers brought their dogs as well, including Jim Tedisco of the Capital Region. The longtime lawmaker, along with Senator Greg Ball of the Hudson Valley, started up the event in 2011. He says he hopes the legislature will pass a law requiring animal abuse offenders to register with the state, much like the one for those convicted of a sexual crime.
Tedisco claims his dog "Gracie," like a good politician, is a "bipartisan dog." Watch the video above for our interview with him. For more on this story tune into New York NOW this weekend on your local PBS station.