ALBANY- Legislation introduced by Putnam-Westchester State Senator Peter Harckham supporting the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in its ongoing efforts to hold animal abusers accountable has passed the Senate unanimously.
If approved in the Assembly and signed into law by Governor Kathy Hochul, the bill would allow SPCA officers statewide to access the live scan fingerprinting system used by law enforcement agencies following an arrest. This capability would enable SPCA officers to complete arrest processing independently, saving time, improving efficiency, and reducing the risk that suspects evade justice. Currently, most SPCA officers in New York must rely on other law enforcement agencies to process arrests.
Harckham said “SPCA officers must have the tools and resources they need to protect defenseless animals from cruelty and neglect and the public at large from serial abusers. Live scan fingerprinting enables officers to swiftly check if a suspect has a history of abuse or is wanted for other offenses. Streamlining this process will strengthen public safety and help deliver justice for animals.”
Feedback from Putnam County SPCA officers, who spoke about delays when they had to find another agency for fingerprinting, inspired the legislation. In some cases, those delays allowed suspects with outstanding warrants to remain at large.
Putnam SPCA Chef Ken Ross noted that “animal cruelty crimes were especially disturbing because they target the most vulnerable. These acts are often connected with additional types of violence, such as domestic abuse and child maltreatment. Senator Harckham recognized the urgency of this issue and worked diligently to advance this legislation. By streamlining the arrest process, we can more effectively find offenders and hold them accountable. We are grateful for his leadership in bringing this bill forward.”
Humane Society International reports that 85 percent of those arrested for animal cruelty previously faced felony charges. Additionally, 70 percent of individuals involved in domestic violence have also been linked to animal abuse.
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