Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara announced that legislation he is sponsoring in the State Assembly that would expand animal cruelty laws has passed in the Assembly’s Agriculture Committee. The bill was introduced after two Montgomery County dogs were shot and killed during a burglary nearly one year ago and is still an unsolved case. The measure was named “Kirby & Quigley’s Law” in the dogs’ memory with support from the Krohn family who have turned their personal tragedy into something positive, advocating for passage of this law to keep others safe. This legislation ensures that criminals with disregard for innocent animals are charged with felony animal cruelty in addition to their other crimes, punishable with 2 years in jail and a $5,000 fine. The bill has been gaining momentum in the State Assembly with almost 100 sponsors to date.

“I have a 15 year old son, Michael, who lives with Autism. I can’t begin to imagine how devastating it would be if something happened to his dog, Muffy,” said Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara. “I’m fighting for this law – in the loving memory of Kirby and Quigley, in support of the Krohn Family who have turned personal tragedy into positive advocacy and in the name of innocent animals who have no voice.”

“Passage of ‘Kirby and Quigley’s Law’ in the Assembly Agriculture Committee is a good step forward to bringing justice to the Krohn family and to help protect pets and people from sadistic criminals. The Senate has passed ‘Kirby and Quigley’s Law’ five years in a row and now it’s time for the Assembly to bring this bi-partisan public safety legislation to the Floor of the Assembly for a debate and up or down vote,” said Senator Jim Tedisco who is the Senate Sponsor of the “Kirby and Quigley’s Law,” which is the chief legislative priority for tomorrow’s NYS Animal Advocacy Day.