State lawmakers are working to protect animals from people who may harm them.
The New York State Senate has passed a law that would keep convicted animal abusers from working in jobs that require direct animal care. These jobs include animal control officers, animal shelter or pound employees, or any position within a humane society, animal protective association, or society created to prevent animal cruelty.
State Senator Patrick Gallivan (R-C-I, Elma) sponsored the bill in the Senate. He said this law will protect animals across New York State.
"For the same reason that we don't allow sex offenders to work at daycare centers, convicted animal abusers should not hold positions in which they oversee the care of dogs, cats or other animals," said Sen. Gallivan
The law, however, will not prevent a judge from sentencing a person to community service in a facility that cares for animals.
The legislation will be sent to the Assembly.
