ALBANY — Assemblymember Paula Elaine Kay, along with other state lawmakers, is advocating for a bill that would make aggravated animal cruelty a bail-eligible offense.

The legislation, A6722/S9231, which has bipartisan support, would allow judges to set bail in cases involving aggravated cruelty to animals, a felony offense under New York law.

The proposal comes as part of ongoing efforts to revise the state’s bail laws following reforms enacted in 2019, which limited when judges can impose bail and established a defined list of eligible charges.

Prior to those reforms, judges had broader discretion to set bail in most misdemeanor and felony cases, including animal cruelty. Under current law, bail may only be imposed for specific offenses, and aggravated cruelty to animals is not included.

“These cases represent the most disturbing and dangerous forms of violence against animals and often involve deliberate, violent acts that can pose ongoing risks if alleged offenders are immediately released without judicial discretion to set bail,” Kay said in a statement.

Supporters of the bill argue that expanding bail eligibility in these cases would improve public safety and allow courts to respond more effectively to severe instances of abuse.

“There is a well-documented link between animal abuse and violence against people,” said State Sen. Jessica Scarcella-Spanton. “By allowing judges to set bail in these cases, we are giving courts the tools they need to intervene and assess the threat.”

Sullivan County animal advocate June Lombardi said similar concerns have been seen at the local level.

“We’ve seen it in our own county where an animal was taken away from a person for cruelty and then before you know it they are strolling around with another animal,” Lombardi said. “We need consequences. We need education. We need accountability.”

The bill is currently under consideration in the state Legislature.