Relates to the offense of aggravated cruelty to animals

This bill (A 3297) amends New York's Agriculture and Markets Law to clarify that using a deadly weapon (like a gun) or dangerous instrument (like a broken bottle) when causing serious injury to a companion animal makes the act "aggravated cruelty." It directly affects individuals who intentionally injure pets using such weapons or instruments, expanding the definition of aggravated cruelty beyond just causing extreme pain or acting sadistically. The key provision adds these specific methods as aggravating factors, requiring prosecutors to prove the injury was caused "by means of" a deadly weapon or dangerous instrument. The law takes effect immediately upon passage.