NY S05414

Creates a new crime of "causing the death of an animal" when animal cruelty under sections 353 or 353-a results in the animal's death, classified as a class D felony

Removes "kills" and "killed" from the existing animal cruelty statute (section 353), which currently treats such offenses as class A misdemeanors

Removes "intentionally kills" from the aggravated cruelty to animals statute (section 353-a), separating killing from the injury-based offense

Effectively elevates the penalty for killing an animal through cruelty from a misdemeanor to a felony by creating a distinct felony charge for deaths resulting from cruel conduct

Applies to both wild and tame animals, regardless of ownership