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Lawmakers to hold hearing in Utica on stiffer animal abuse laws

By WKTV News

Story Created: May 4, 2012 at 11:17 AM EDT

Story Updated: May 4, 2012 at 5:02 PM EDT

UTICA, N.Y. (WKTV) - New York State lawmakers want to know if the current animal cruelty laws are doing enough to protect our pets and punish the people who intentionally hurt them.

The State Senate Committee on Agriculture is holding a hearing in Utica next week to answer that question. That's the committee that oversees animal cruelty laws.

They're posing those questions to the experts, people who work with and advocate for animals on a daily basis.

"What we're going to do is determine the best approach to deal with these problems," said Senator Joseph Griffo. "There are a number of ideas out there, pieces of legislation, but the idea here is to get a perspective for law enforcement."

The public hearing is happening on Wednesday, May 9 at 2:30 p.m. on the first floor of the State Office Building.

Speakers are by invitation only, but anyone can attend and listen. Senator Griffo says that residents can also submit, in writing, their own comments and testimony, to his office.

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