We would like the New York State Legislature to change the law to make crimes against animals more severe penalties. Jada is a pit bull that was rescued from a home in the city of Syracuse, when found she only weighed 25 pounds (half of a healthy weight). Her owners were charged, however starving an animal and locking them in a cage is only a misdemeanor. http://www.localsyr.com/news/local-news/two-charged-with-animal-cruelty-in-syracuse

Pets are members of our families and should be afforded the same protections under the law.

We ask the New York State Senate and Assembly to pass Jada's Law to amend the

McKinney's Agriculture and Markets Law §353 and §353-d to reflect:

1.     §353 Overdriving, torturing and injuring animals;  failure to provide proper sustenance: changing the penalty for violating this provision to a Class E Felony under the Penal Law of the State of New York to  reflect the egregious nature of the crimes and the depraved indifference to the life on the animal victim

2.     § 353-d. Confinement of companion animals in vehicles: extreme temperatures: Changing the penalty for violating this provision to a Class A Misdemeanor under the Penal Law of the State of New York to be consistent with the charge for a similar crime to a child.