New York statute

N.Y. Penal Law § 242.15 — Harming a service animal in the first degree

Current through 2026 legislative session (LBDC text via OpenLegislation as of 2026-07-17)

Part of Article 242: Offenses Against Service Animals and Handlers, New York Penal Law.

Criminal charges under this statute

Harming a service animal in the first degree

Full text of N.Y. Penal Law § 242.15

Statutory text current through the 2026 legislative session (LBDC text via OpenLegislation as of 2026-07-17). This publication reproduces the text of the Consolidated Laws of New York as provided by the New York State Senate's Open Legislation service (Legislative Bill Drafting Commission statutory text); it is not the official statutes of the State of New York.

N.Y. Penal Law § 242.15Primary source, current through the 2026 legislative session (LBDC text via OpenLegislation as of 2026-07-17)

242.15 Harming a service animal in the first degree. A person is guilty of harming a service animal in the first degree when, he or she commits the crime of harming a service animal in the second degree, and has been convicted of harming a service animal in the first or second degree within the prior five years. Harming a service animal in the first degree is a class E felony.

Official sources

Official OLLS publication (Title download)

Legal terms used in this section

Questions this section answers

What class of felony is harming a service animal in the first degree in New York?

Harming a service animal in the first degree is a Class E Felony in New York under N.Y. Penal Law § 242.15.

Which New York statute covers harming a service animal in the first degree?

Harming a service animal in the first degree is governed by N.Y. Penal Law § 242.15 (Harming a service animal in the first degree).

This reference is informational and is not legal advice.