NY S08581

Moves the crime of aggravated cruelty to animals from the Agriculture and Markets Law to the Penal Law, creating a new Article 243 titled "Offenses Against Animals"

Defines "aggravated cruelty" as conduct intended to cause extreme physical pain or carried out in an especially depraved or sadistic manner against companion animals (dogs, cats, and other domesticated household animals)

Classifies aggravated cruelty to animals as a class E violent felony, adding it to the list of violent felony offenses in the Penal Law

Exempts lawful hunting, trapping, fishing, dispatch of rabid or diseased animals, dispatch of animals threatening human safety, and approved scientific research from prosecution under this section

Updates cross-references in the Agriculture and Markets Law, Education Law, and New York City Administrative Code to reflect the relocation of the aggravated cruelty provisions to the Penal Law