NY S00230

Removes "torture," "cruel beating," and "unjustifiable injury" language from the general animal abuse offense definition, making those acts subject to separate enhanced penalties rather than the class A misdemeanor provision.

Requires courts to order immediate psychiatric analysis and evaluation for persons convicted of torturing, cruelly beating, or unjustifiably injuring animals, with mandatory treatment or programs to modify behavior or address mental illness.

Prohibits sealing or protecting court records of youthful offenders convicted under animal abuse provisions, allowing such records to be used in any subsequent prosecution.

Maintains existing exemptions for approved scientific research, hunting and fishing, farming operations, vermin eradication, and dispatch of rabid or diseased animals.

Takes effect November 1st of the year following enactment into law.