Establishes an animal abuser statewide registry

3 Co-sponsors

• Joseph A. Griffo
• George D. Maziarz
• Suzi Oppenheimer

BILL NUMBER:S2015

Title of bill

An act to amend the agriculture and markets law, in relation to establishing an animal abuser registry

Purpose

To establish a registry of people who have been convicted of a felony violation of animal abuse or of the comparable statutes in another state.

Summary of provisions

A new section 353-e is added to the agriculture and markets law which establishes the specifics of an animal abuser registry in the state of New York for felony violations of animal abuse is section 353 of this act. The abuser shall register with the county sheriff within 10 days of locating to the county. The abuser shall annually renew their registration for fifteen years. Intentionally or knowingly failing to register or provide false information is a class E felony. The county sheriff shall maintain a local registry and notify every residence, school, humane society, animal shelter and any other business within a half mile radius of the animal abuser's to the New York state division of criminal justice services. The New York state division of criminal justice services shall maintain a central registry of animal abusers required to register for the fifteen year period in which the animal abuser is required to be registered.

Justification

This is much needed legislation to combat animal cruelty and abuse and to stop repeat offenders. The thinking behind establishment of animal abuser registries is that it would prevent access to those convicted of animal abuse of adopting or purchasing animals as it would prohibit pet stores and animal shelters from selling pets or allowing them to be adopted by individuals on the Animal Abuse registry

For more than a quarter of a century, studies have shown a strong corollary between animal abuse and human violence. A survey of pet-owning families where child abuse and neglect occurred found that animals were also abused in 88 percent of homes where child physical abuse was present (DeViney, Dicket, & Lockwood, 1983), A 1998 study of women seeking shelter at a safe house showed that 71 percent of those having pets affirmed that their partner had threatened, hurt or killed their companion animals (Ascione, 1998).

Legislative history

New legislation.

Fiscal implications

To be determined.

Effective date

Immediately.