New York State Law
Penal Law
Consolidated Laws of New York's Penal code
Article 242 - NY Penal Law
OFFENSES AGAINST SERVICE ANIMALS AND HANDLERS
| Section | Offense | Class |
|---|---|---|
| 242.00 | Definitions. | |
| 242.05 | Interference, harassment or intimidation of a service animal. | B MISD |
| 242.10 | Harming a service animal in the second degree. | A MISD |
| 242.15 | Harming a service animal in the first degree. | E FELONY |
S 242.00 Definitions. For purposes of this article: 1. "Service animal" shall mean any animal that has been partnered with a person who has a disability and has been trained or is being trained, by a qualified person, to aid or guide a person with a disability. 2. "Disability" shall have the same meaning as provided in section two hundred ninety-two of the executive law. 3. "Handler" shall mean a disabled person using a service animal. 4. "Formal training program" or "certified trainer" shall mean an institution, group or individual who has documentation and community recognition as a provider of service animals. S 242.05 Interference, harassment or intimidation of a service animal. A person is guilty of interference, harassment or intimidation of a service animal when he or she commits an act with intent to and which does make it impractical, dangerous or impossible for a service animal to perform its assigned responsibilities of assisting a person with a disability. Interference, harassment or intimidation of a service animal is a class B misdemeanor. S 242.10 Harming a service animal in the second degree. A person is guilty of harming a service animal in the second degree when, with the intent to do so, he or she causes physical injury, or causes such injury that results in the death, of a service animal. Harming a service animal in the second degree is a class A misdemeanor. S 242.15 Harming a service animal in the first degree. A person is guilty of harming a service animal in the first degree when, he or she commits the crime of harming a service animal in the second degree, and has been convicted of harming a service animal in the first or second degree within the prior five years. Harming a service animal in the first degree is a class E felony. Top of Page
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