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A 6373

Expands aggravated cruelty to animals to include all animals

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Mike Tannousis

Bill A 6373 expands legal protections against aggravated cruelty to include all animals, enhancing welfare standards and increasing penalties for offenders.

REFERRED TO AGRICULTURE
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · A 6373

Summary of Bill A 6373: Expanding Aggravated Cruelty to Animals

Bill Number: A 6373
Title: Expands aggravated cruelty to animals to include all animals
Status: Referred to Agriculture
Introduced: March 04, 2025
Classification: Bill

Purpose and Intent

Bill A 6373 aims to broaden the legal definition of aggravated cruelty to animals by including all animals under its protection. The intent of this legislation is to enhance animal welfare standards and ensure that all forms of animal cruelty are addressed under the law, thereby promoting humane treatment and protection for all species.

Key Provisions

  • Expansion of Definition: The bill seeks to amend existing laws regarding aggravated cruelty to explicitly include all animals, not just those traditionally covered (e.g., pets and livestock).
  • Increased Penalties: The legislation may propose stricter penalties for individuals found guilty of committing acts of aggravated cruelty against any animal, although specific penalty enhancements are not detailed in the provided information.
  • Enforcement and Reporting: The bill may also include provisions for improved enforcement mechanisms and reporting requirements to ensure that incidents of animal cruelty are adequately documented and prosecuted.

Affected Parties

  • Animals: All animals, regardless of species, would benefit from increased legal protections against cruelty.
  • Pet Owners and Animal Caretakers: Individuals and organizations involved in the care and custody of animals would be directly impacted, as they would need to adhere to stricter standards of care.
  • Law Enforcement and Animal Control Agencies: These entities would be tasked with enforcing the new provisions and handling cases of aggravated cruelty.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Current Status: As of March 4, 2025, the bill has been referred to the Agriculture Committee for further consideration.
  • Related Legislation: The bill is related to several prior-session bills (A 5506, A 4850, A 5722, A 6920, A 5179) that may have addressed similar issues. Additionally, it has a companion bill (S 6560) in the Senate, indicating a potential for cross-chamber support and discussion.

Conclusion

Bill A 6373 represents a significant step towards enhancing animal welfare by expanding the legal framework surrounding aggravated cruelty to encompass all animals. Its progression through the legislative process will be closely monitored, particularly by animal rights advocates and organizations focused on humane treatment. The outcomes of this bill could set a precedent for future animal welfare legislation.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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