Requires each violator of "Buster's Law" to register his or her name and address with the department of agriculture and markets

BILL NUMBER:A10998

Title of bill

An act to amend the agriculture and markets law, in relation to establishing a registry for persons convicted of violating "Buster's Law"

Purpose

Requires each violator of "Buster's Law" to register his or her name and address with the Department of Agriculture and Markets.

Summary of provisions

Section 1 adds a new section 352 to the Agricul- ture and Markets Law to establish an animal cruelty register. The new section provides that persons convicted of animal cruelty or animal fighting must register with the Department of Agriculture and Markets. The manner of registration will be regulated by the department but shall include, at a minimum, the name and address of the registrant. Informa- tion stored in the registry shall be made available to all law enforce- ment entities, district attorneys, humane societies, societies for the prevention of cruelty to animals, animal control officers, breeders of animals and pet stores doing business in this state.

Any person required to register shall do so annually or each time such person moves to a new address and shall continue to register until he or she receives a court order ordering such registration to cease. No such order shall be issued until the registrant demonstrates to the court that he or she has undergone psychological and or psychiatric testing, the results of which indicate by clear and convincing evidence his or her capable and sound mental capacity and ability to own and properly care for an animal. Any person required to register pursuant to this section may not own a companion animal or be employed at an animal shel- ter, pound, pet store, zoo or any other business establishment where companion animals are present. Persons convicted of animal cruelty or animal fighting shall be subject to an additional surcharge of $50.00 to help defray the costs of maintaining this registry.

Section 2 contains the effective date.

Justification

The behavior of persons who repeatedly torture and abuse animals have been linked to the behaviors associated with serial killers that target human beings. Law enforcement officials have described animal cruelty as a bridge crime with offenders often turning their cruelty to people. This legislation will prevent these twisted individ- uals that torture innocent animals from ever being able to lawfully own or work with animals again. With this measure in place, law enforcement, humane societies, breeders and pet stores will be able to identify animal abusers before they are able to purchase or adopt a pet. Regis- trants may only be removed from the registry once they have been deemed psychologically sound enough to care for an animal.

Legislative history

New Bill

Fiscal implications

Minimal as new surcharge will pay for the register.

Effective date

This act shall take effect on the thirtieth day after it shall have become a law.