STATE OF NEW YORK
________________________________________________________________________
1372
2023-2024 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
January 17, 2023
___________
Introduced by M. of A. L. ROSENTHAL -- read once and referred to the
Committee on Judiciary
AN ACT to amend the general obligations law, in relation to compensation
for injury or death of a companion animal
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem-bly, do enact as follows:
1 Section 1. The general obligations law is amended by adding a new
2 section 11-108 to read as follows:
3 § 11-108. Compensation for injury or death of a companion animal. 1.
4 In addition to any other right of action or recovery otherwise available
5 under law, a person may recover damages from another who negligently,
6 recklessly, or intentionally causes unjustifiable physical injury or
7 death of a companion animal.
8 2. In determining damages for negligently, recklessly, or inten-
9 tionally causing physical injury or death to a companion animal, the
10 court may consider, among other factors, evidence regarding the bond
11 between the companion animal and the companion animal's owner. The court
12 may also award punitive damages where physical injury or death to a
13 companion animal was unjustifiable and intentionally or recklessly
14 caused.
15 3. "Companion animal" as used in this section shall have the same
16 meaning as subdivision five of section three hundred fifty of the agri-
17 culture and markets law.
18 § 2. This act shall take effect on the thirtieth day after it shall
19 have become a law.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[] is old law to be omitted.
LBD01334-01-3
