It's everyone's favorite day during the legislative calendar - Animal Advocacy Day!
The Well of the Legislative Office Building was filled with dogs, birds and a pony as legislators highlighted their furry friends. The State Senate passed legislation to further protect animals and those that harm them, including:
- A bill that would increase jail time from two to four years when acts of cruelty are committed in front of children.
- Increasing the misdemeanor of abandonment of animals from $1,000 to $2,000.
- Increasing penalties for leaving an animal in a vehicle during times of extreme cold and heat.
Other bipartisan legislation would create a statewide registry for convicted animal abusers.
Senator Phil Boyle of Long Island and Assemblyman Jim Tedisco of the Capital Region co-sponsored the day.
