The Associated Press

ALBANY – Governor George Pataki signed legislation Monday creating a felony offense for people who intentionally hurt or kill domestic animals.

The measure will create a crime in New York of "aggravated cruelty" to animals so authorities can better identify and punish people who torture and kill dogs, cats, and other domesticated animals.

Similar bills increasing penalties for animal cruelty have been unsuccessfully filed by state legislators for years. But the crusade was energized in 1998 with the highly publicized case of Buster, a cat and family pet who was doused with kerosene and set on fire last year in Schenectady. The animal died.

Under the bill signed by Pataki, people convicted of aggravated cruelty to animals could receive up to two years in prison and fines of up to $5,000 for causing extreme physical pain to animals in a depraved or sadistic manner.

Under previous state law, animal cruelty was a misdemeanor with a maximum penalty of up to a year in jail and a fine of up to $1,000.