The Origin of Buster's Law in New York

Animal AdvocacyAnimal Advocacy

The Origin of Buster’s Law in The Origin of Buster’s Law in New YorkNew York

Valerie A. Lang, J.D., M.L.S.Valerie A. Lang, J.D., M.L.S.

The New York Times

February 27, 1999, Saturday, Late Edition - Final

Albany Notes;A Wave of New Bills Bearing Victims' Names

Buster’s LawBuster’s LawSigned in to law June 28, 1999Signed in to law June 28, 1999

Buster, November 30Buster, November 30thth, , 19971997

Forms of Cruelty:Forms of Cruelty:

failing to provide food, water, shelter, failing to provide food, water, shelter, veterinary care, orveterinary care, or

animal fightinganimal fighting     acts such as overworking an animalacts such as overworking an animal atrocious, depraved actsatrocious, depraved acts

The Unquestionable LinkThe Unquestionable Link“On Saturday of last week, I

made my first kill. The victim was a loved one, my dear dog Sparkle. I will

never forget the howl she made.

It sounded almost human. We laughed and hit her and

hit her more.”

- from the diary of Luke Woodham, 16, charged in the stabbing death of his mother, and the shooting deaths of two students and wounding seven others in Pearl, Mississippi.

Felony StatusFelony StatusIn general, a felony is an offense In general, a felony is an offense for which a sentence to a for which a sentence to a term of term of

imprisonment in excess of one imprisonment in excess of one yearyear is authorized. is authorized.

Buster’s LawBuster’s Law

§ 353-a. Aggravated cruelty to animals§ 353-a. Aggravated cruelty to animals 1. A person is guilty of aggravated cruelty to 1. A person is guilty of aggravated cruelty to

animals when, with no justifiable purpose, he animals when, with no justifiable purpose, he or she or she intentionally killsintentionally kills or or intentionally intentionally causes serious physical injurycauses serious physical injury to a companion to a companion animal with aggravated cruelty. For purposes animal with aggravated cruelty. For purposes of this section, "aggravated cruelty" shall of this section, "aggravated cruelty" shall mean conduct which: (i) is intended to cause mean conduct which: (i) is intended to cause extreme physical pain; or (ii) is done or extreme physical pain; or (ii) is done or carried out in an especially depraved or carried out in an especially depraved or sadistic manner.sadistic manner.

"The question is not, Can "The question is not, Can they they reasonreason? nor, Can they ? nor, Can they

talktalk? but ? but Can they sufferCan they suffer."."  

-Jeremy Bentham-Jeremy Bentham

At the time of Buster’s tragedy, only At the time of Buster’s tragedy, only 17 states had felony cruelty laws.17 states had felony cruelty laws.

As of the beginning of 2015, fifty As of the beginning of 2015, fifty states have some felony provisions in states have some felony provisions in their anti-cruelty and/or animal their anti-cruelty and/or animal fighting laws.fighting laws.

The Times Union (Albany, New York)The Times Union (Albany, New York)

November 9, 2007November 9, 2007 Friday Friday 1 EDITION1 EDITION

`Buster's Law' ex-con indicted in `Buster's Law' ex-con indicted in sexual assault sexual assault

““Our lives begin to Our lives begin to end the day we end the day we

become silent about become silent about things that matter.”things that matter.”

Dr. Martin Luther KingDr. Martin Luther King

This is dedicated to This is dedicated to Buster…Buster…