Assemblymember Brindisi Sponsors Legislation to Crack Down on Animal Cruelty

Brindisi pushing for tougher penalties following brutal deaths of two dogs found on Whitestown Railroad tracks

February 27, 2013

In response to the heinous incident in which two local dogs were found shot and left on train tracks, Assemblymember Anthony J. Brindisi (D-Utica) announced that he is sponsoring legislation that would change the way certain animal cruelty violations are classified under the law, creating harsher penalties for animal abusers (A.893).

“Its time to strengthen protections for animals, and hold abusers accountable for such deplorable acts,” Assemblymember Brindisi said. “For many, pets play a central part in a family. Horrific crimes like this one cannot be taken lightly and I will not sit idly by as abusers receive a mere slap on the wrist.”

Earlier this week, after a railroad worker discovered the bodies of the two Pitbull-Sheperd mixes, Whitestown Police were called to the scene. Officers discovered they were the same dogs that had gone missing from a home in Utica on Feb. 18.

As with most cases of animal abuse, it is likely that the person or people responsible for the death of these dogs will only face misdemeanor animal cruelty charges. Brindisi’s legislation would increase the penalty for animal abuse charges and make sure the abusers receive the appropriate punishment.

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