Nassau County punishes animal abusers with jail time

Nassau County, New York, has passed a bill making it a misdemeanor to harm a pet, potentially leading to jail time and a $1,000 fine for offenders. The new law, expanding a 2014 animal-abuse law, targets those who leave pets in hot cars or hoard animals, increasing penalties and doubling the time abusers are listed on the offender registry. The bill is expected to be signed by the County Executive. The legislation also increases punishments for already convicted abusers and mirrors a similar law passed in neighboring Suffolk County, both aiming to pressure New York State to strengthen animal protection laws.