NY S04918

Creates new section 352 of Agriculture and Markets Law establishing "causing the death of an animal" as a class D felony when death results from violating animal cruelty statutes (sections 353 or 353-a)

Removes "or kills" language from section 353 (animal cruelty statute), making animal cruelty itself no longer include killing as a prohibited act

Removes "intentionally kills or" language from section 353-a (aggravated cruelty to animals statute), narrowing that offense to intentionally causing serious physical injury rather than death

Establishes separate felony classification for deaths of animals, distinguishing it from the misdemeanor and aggravated cruelty charges that previously covered killing

Takes effect immediately upon enactment