Dear Governor Hochul, Members of the New York State Senate and Assembly, New York City Council Members, and Attorney General Letitia James,

I am writing to urge you to enact the Enhanced Animal Protection Act, a comprehensive bill designed to strengthen New York’s animal cruelty laws and address the increasing incidents of cruelty and neglect across the city. Our current laws, while significant, are no longer sufficient to protect animals from the rising tide of abuse, especially in cases of ritualistic sacrifices and individual acts of severe cruelty. These acts not only harm innocent animals but also threaten public health and safety.

Why This Matters:

• Cruelty is On the Rise: We have witnessed an alarming increase in cases of extreme animal cruelty, including ritualistic sacrifices in public spaces and violent abuse of animals. Recently, reports from Queens have highlighted a disturbing trend, where chickens, pigs, and other animals are being mutilated and killed as part of religious or ritualistic ceremonies, often in public areas like Jamaica Bay. These practices, as covered by the New York Post, have reached unprecedented levels, and the frequency of animal sacrifices in parks and other public spaces has become a serious public health issue. These acts of cruelty must not be tolerated, and stronger legal protections are essential to prevent further suffering. 
• Stronger Laws = Safer Communities: Research has shown a clear link between animal cruelty and violent behavior toward humans. Strengthening penalties for those who harm animals is not only a matter of animal welfare but also of public safety. By preventing animal abuse, we can help reduce violence in our communities.
• Local Shelters and Rescues Are Overwhelmed: New York’s animal shelters and rescue groups are operating at or beyond capacity, struggling to care for the increasing number of abused, abandoned, and neglected animals. By enacting stricter animal cruelty laws, we can help alleviate the strain on these critical resources and ensure that animals receive the care they need.
• Religious Exemptions Should Not Include Animal Cruelty: While religious freedom is a fundamental right, it should not allow practices that cause unnecessary harm to animals. Rituals such as Kapparot, which involve the slaughter of animals for symbolic reasons rather than food, must be banned. This amendment would ensure that all animal-related practices in New York adhere to humane treatment standards.

Navigating the Supreme Court’s Ruling:

In 1993, the Supreme Court ruled in Church of the Lukumi Babalu Aye v. City of Hialeah that laws targeting religious animal sacrifices violated the First Amendment’s Free Exercise Clause. However, this does not prevent New York from adopting laws similar to those enacted in other states, which balance religious freedom with public health and animal welfare.

• Neutral, Generally Applicable Laws: States like California and Florida have passed animal cruelty laws that apply to all individuals and groups, regardless of religious affiliation. These laws focus on the humane treatment of animals and do not single out specific religious practices, allowing them to comply with constitutional requirements. New York can adopt similar measures by ensuring that its laws are neutral and generally applicable, targeting animal cruelty broadly without focusing on religious practices.
• Public Health and Safety Concerns: States have successfully enacted laws that limit the practice of ritual animal sacrifices in public spaces, citing public health and safety concerns. New York could introduce legislation that prohibits animal sacrifices in public areas such as beaches, parks and streets, based on the potential risks these practices pose to sanitation and the environment. This would not target religious rituals directly but would focus on protecting public health, a compelling state interest that courts have historically upheld. By ensuring that the laws are carefully drafted to focus on humane treatment, public health, and safety, New York can protect animals and citizens without violating constitutional rights.

What the Enhanced Animal Protection Act Proposes:

• Remove Religious Exemptions for Non-Food-Related Animal Sacrifice: This bill would prohibit any form of ritualistic animal sacrifice that is not related to food production. Religious rituals such as Kapparot would be banned unless the animals are slaughtered in accordance with USDA-approved humane methods for food preparation.
• Increase Penalties for Animal Cruelty: First-time offenders convicted of animal cruelty should face up to 2 years in prison and fines up to $15,000. Repeat offenders would face up to 10 years in prison and fines up to $50,000 to ensure justice for the harm they cause.
• Ban Public Animal Sacrifice: No animal sacrifice should take place in public spaces such as parks, beaches, or streets. Violators will face severe fines and potential felony charges.
• Mandatory Counseling and Community Service for Offenders: Any individual convicted of animal cruelty, especially juveniles, must undergo mandatory psychological evaluation, counseling, and community service in an animal welfare organization.
• Seize Animals in Dangerous Situations: Law enforcement must immediately remove animals found in abusive or neglectful conditions and place them in licensed shelters or rescue organizations to ensure their safety.
• Create a Statewide Animal Abuser Registry: Offenders convicted of animal cruelty should be listed on a public registry for a period of 10 years, during which they will be prohibited from adopting or purchasing any animals.

By enacting the Enhanced Animal Protection Act, New York can become a national leader in animal welfare, protecting both animals and the public. Let us strengthen our laws, ensure that justice is served, and create a safer, more humane New York.

Thank you for your time and consideration.