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State Senator Jim Tedisco is advocating for stricter penalties for animal abuse following recent incidents in New York. Last week, the owner of "A Time Four Paws" in Halfmoon was charged with felony animal cruelty after allegedly leaving a French bulldog named Gus to die in the heat. Additionally, Troy police are investigating another case of animal abuse on 105th Street.
Tedisco, a leading voice on animal cruelty laws, helped pass "Buster's Law," which currently punishes offenders with up to two years in prison and a $5,000 fine. He is now sponsoring a bill to increase these penalties to four years in prison and a $10,000 fine. The proposed legislation also includes creating a statewide registry of animal abusers and banning convicted individuals from owning pets.
Tedisco emphasized the importance of these measures, stating, "These measures aren’t just about protecting our pets, they’re about keeping all members of our family safe from violence."
The senator is also pushing for "Kirby & Quiqley's Law," which would make harming a companion animal during another crime an additional felony. Tedisco has been vocal about the need for reform, citing animal cruelty as a "bridge crime" that often leads to violence against humans.