Includes wildlife animals as those subject to the animal cruelty provisions

This bill (S 250) expands New York's animal cruelty law to include wildlife animals under its protections. It amends the Agriculture and Markets Law to specifically list "wildlife" (as defined in environmental law) alongside companion animals in the aggravated cruelty provisions, making it a crime to intentionally kill or cause serious injury to wildlife without justification. The law explicitly exempts lawful activities like hunting, trapping, fishing, pest management, and scientific research conducted under approved regulations. This change directly affects wildlife by adding legal protections against intentional harm, while maintaining existing exemptions for authorized activities.