NY S04043

Upgrades animal abuse offense (overdriving, overloading, torturing, cruelly beating, injuring, or killing animals) to a class A misdemeanor that must be treated as a misdemeanor under criminal procedure law section 160.10.

Requires courts to order an immediate psychiatric analysis and evaluation for persons convicted of torturing, cruelly beating, or unjustifiably injuring animals, with mandatory treatment or behavioral modification programs where deemed necessary.

Prohibits sealing or protecting court records of youthful offenders convicted under this section and allows such records to be used in any subsequent prosecution.

Preserves existing exemptions for properly approved scientific testing and experiments with animals, lawful hunting and fishing, farming operations, and eradication of vermin or diseased animals.

Takes effect on November 1 following enactment into law.