Are you aware of an animal that might be a victim of abuse or neglect?
REPORT ANIMAL ABUSE
Suffolk County, New York, is passing legislation that would require people who have been convicted of animal cruelty to register as offenders or “face jail time and fines”.
This bill, if passed into law, would be a first in the country- similar to Megan’s Law. It would create the first animal abuse registry that would require people “convicted of animal cruelty to animals to register or face jail time or fines”.
Finally!! Other states have similar bills but none have been passed into law. The state has 30 days to review before being signed into law. I see no drawbacks.
Why is this so important? Pet-Abuse.Com already has a database but this registry would provide even more information on these animal abusers.
Another reason why this is vital is that a strong correlation exists between animal abuse and abuse against people. It is long overdue that this fact alone deserves the recognition it deserves.
According to Suffolk County legislator Jon Cooper, the bill’s sponsor. “Almost every serial killer starts out by torturing animals, so in a strange sense we could end up protecting the lives of people.”
And I believe this will save lives of people too.
“The online list will be open to the public, so that pet owners or the merely curious can find out whether someone living near them is on it. Some animal abusers have been known to steal their neighbors’ pets.
Cooper is also pushing legislation that would bar anyone on the registry from buying or adopting a pet from a shelter, pet shop or breeder.” (YAY!)
“The Suffolk County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals will administer the database, to be funded by a $50 fee paid by convicted abusers. All abusers 18 or older must supply authorities with their address, a head-and-shoulders photograph and any aliases. Convicted abusers will remain on the registry for five years. Those failing to register face up to a year in jail and a fine of up to $1,000.”