The New York State Animal Protection Federation stood with Denise Krohn and her family at a recent press conference for Kirby and Quigley’s Law. Last year, Krohn returned to her home in Montgomery County to find that she and her family had fallen victim to a robbery. Along with numerous missing possessions, the lives of two beloved Goldendoodles, Kirby and Quigley, were shot and killed during the break in. The heartbreak grew when Denise and her family learned that when the perpetrators are caught they would only be charged with robbery and not felony animal cruelty.
Denise Krohn turned sorrow into action. She came to Albany on Thursday, January 26th and stood with the Federation, State Senators George Amedore and James Tedisco and State Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara in calling for the quick passage of Kirby and Quigley’s law. The law would make harming a companion animal during a crime a felony with the potential for two additional years in prison and up to a $5,000 fine. This law would additionally protect people along with animal companions. Animal cruelty is viewed as a bridge crime for more serious crimes against both animals and people, and the passing of this law would make the NYS community a safer environment.
Also participating in the press conference were Brad Shear, Executive Director of the Mohawk Hudson Humane Society and the Federation’s founding president and Deb Balliet, Executive Director of the Animal Protective Foundation in Glenville, NY. Senator Tedicso wrote the press conference in his Times Union Blog and helped shepherd the bill’s passage in the State Senate on January 30. The bill is currently in committee in the NYS Assembly.