In an important bipartisan victory, New York State Senator Pete Harckham proudly announced the unanimous passage of his legislation aimed at bolstering the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) in its tireless efforts to hold individuals accountable for deliberate acts of cruelty against animals.
The bipartisan bill (S.1182) introduced by Harckham grants SPCA officers statewide access to the live scan fingerprinting system utilized by law enforcement agencies following an arrest. This access enables SPCA officers to independently complete arrest procedures without relying on assistance from other law enforcement entities, thereby expediting the process and ensuring that alleged perpetrators do not evade justice. Currently, many SPCA officers in New York must rely on other law enforcement agencies to process their arrests.
Harckham emphasized the critical importance of equipping SPCA police officers with the necessary resources to fulfill their mission of safeguarding defenseless animals from cruelty and neglect. The implementation of live scan fingerprinting technology enables officers to promptly ascertain if accused individuals have a history of animal abuse or are wanted for other violent offenses, thereby enhancing community safety and ensuring justice for animals.
The impetus for the legislation stemmed from experiences shared by Putnam County SPCA officers, who highlighted the challenges they faced in securing assistance from law enforcement agencies for fingerprinting individuals suspected of animal cruelty. Delays in obtaining fingerprints had previously allowed suspects to remain at large when they should have been detained.
Although the precise number of animal cruelty cases in New York each year is difficult to ascertain, instances of abuse and violence against animals often go unreported. The rise in animal cruelty cases has been attributed to various factors, including the socioeconomic impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Statistics from Humane Society International underscore the urgency of addressing animal cruelty, with a significant proportion of individuals arrested for such offenses having prior criminal records, including felonies. Moreover, there is a strong correlation between animal abuse and other forms of violence, including domestic violence.
Harckham’s legislation overwhelmingly passed in the Senate by a vote of 60-0, reflecting bipartisan support for initiatives aimed at combating animal cruelty. A companion bill in the State Assembly, introduced by Assembly Member Linda Rosenthal, is currently under consideration in committee.
Chief Ken Ross of the Putnam County SPCA expressed gratitude to Senator Harckham for his unwavering commitment to advancing legislation that enhances law enforcement’s ability to combat animal cruelty and protect vulnerable animals. The streamlined arrest process facilitated by this legislation is instrumental in identifying perpetrators of animal cruelty and addressing the interconnected issues of violence and abuse.
Senator Harckham’s legislation underscores a collective commitment to safeguarding the welfare of animals and upholding principles of justice and compassion within our communities.