STATE OF NEW YORK
________________________________________________________________________
10942
IN ASSEMBLY
April 14, 2026
___________
Introduced by M. of A. CLARK -- read once and referred to the Committee
on Codes
AN ACT to amend the executive law, in relation to requiring the munici-
pal police training council to establish a use of force policy regard-
ing encounters with companion animals
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem-bly, do enact as follows:
1 Section 1. Subdivision 4 of section 840 of the executive law is
2 amended by adding a new paragraph (e) to read as follows:
3 (e) (1) Establish and regularly update a model law enforcement use of
4 force policy regarding encounters with companion animals.
5 (2) The model law enforcement companion animal use of force policy
6 shall include, but is not limited to:
7 (i) understanding the behavior of companion animals;
8 (ii) tactical considerations and best practices during encounters
9 involving companion animals; and
10 (iii) safe handling of, and appropriate use of force against companion
11 animals.
12 (3) For the purposes of this paragraph, "companion animal" means any
13 dog or cat, and shall also mean any other domesticated animal normally
14 maintained in or near the household of the owner or person who cares for
15 such other domesticated animal. Further, a companion animal shall not
16 include a "farm animal" as such term is defined in subdivision four of
17 section three hundred fifty of the agriculture and markets law.
18 § 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[] is old law to be omitted.
LBD15405-01-6
