NY S05801

Amends the aggravated cruelty to animals law to include wildlife (as defined in the environmental conservation law, excluding insects) alongside companion animals as protected species.

Expands the definition of aggravated cruelty to cover intentional killing or causing serious physical injury to wildlife with extreme physical pain or in an especially depraved or sadistic manner.

Maintains exemptions for lawful hunting, trapping, and fishing activities authorized under environmental conservation law and sound agricultural practices.

Preserves existing exemptions for dispatch of rabid or diseased animals, animals posing threats to human safety, and approved scientific research.

Takes effect 90 days after becoming law.