{"jurisdiction": "us-ny", "code": "penal", "section": "195.12", "citation": "Penal Law § 195.12", "heading": "Harming an animal trained to aid a person with a disability in the first degree", "text": ["§ 195.12 Harming an animal trained to aid a person with a disability in", "the first degree.", "A person is guilty of harming an animal trained to aid a person with a disability in the first degree when such person:", "1. intentionally causes physical injury to such animal while it is in the performance of aiding a person with a disability, and thereby renders such animal permanently incapable of providing such aid to such person, or to another person with a disability; or", "2. intentionally kills such animal while it is in the performance of aiding a person with a disability.", "Harming an animal trained to aid a person with a disability in the first degree is a class A misdemeanor."], "official_source": "https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/PEN/195.12", "from_official_api": true, "plain_english": "A person commits first-degree harm to a trained aid animal by:\n- **(1)** **intentionally injuring the animal while it is aiding a person with a disability**, permanently making it unable to provide such aid; or\n- **(2)** **intentionally killing the animal while it is providing that aid**. ★\nThe offense is a **class A misdemeanor**.", "in_force_on": "2026-05-31", "retrieved": "2026-09-27", "url": "https://elyphived.com/us-ny/penal/195.12", "publisher": "Elyphived LLC"}