What's happening
This bill creates a public animal abuser registry in New York, requiring convicted offenders to register with law enforcement for 15 years.
Why it matters
Targets repeat and serious animal abusers. The registry specifically applies to adults convicted of felony-level animal cruelty, meaning it is focused on the most severe offenders rather than minor violations, which could help deter serious and repeat abuse.
Enables community awareness and protection. By requiring the sheriff to notify residences, schools, humane societies, shelters, and businesses within a half-mile of an offender’s address, the law aims to increase public safety and empower local organizations to take precautions against potential animal abusers.
Creates a centralized, public, and accessible database. The registry will be maintained at both the county and state level, and made available to the public through various channels (internet, phone, mail, in-person), promoting transparency and allowing concerned individuals and groups to access information about convicted abusers in their area.
Strengthens enforcement and accountability. Failure to register or providing false information is a felony offense, which adds significant legal consequences for non-compliance and signals the seriousness with which New York treats animal cruelty.
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Who cares
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Create Animal Abuser Registry
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
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History
- Referred to agriculture
- Referred to agriculture
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Create Animal Abuser Registry
In Senate Committee · Agriculture · Sponsor Kenneth P. LaValle
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
3713
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
January 30, 2017
Introduced by M. of A. GLICK -- read once and referred to the Committee on Agriculture
AN ACT to amend the agriculture and markets law, in relation to establishing an animal abuser registry
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The agriculture and markets law is amended by adding a new section 353-g to read as follows:
§ 353-g. Animal abuser registry. 1. For purposes of this section, the term "animal abuser" means a person over eighteen years of age who has been convicted of a felony violation of any provision of this article or of the comparable statutes of another state.
2. Any animal abuser physically within the boundaries of this state for more than ten consecutive days shall register with the county sheriff for the county in which the animal abuser is located before the end of the eleventh day in the state.
3. Any previously registered animal abuser shall reregister with the county sheriff for the county in which the animal abuser is located no later than ten days after moving to a new location within the state.
4. When an animal abuser registers with the county sheriff, the animal abuser shall provide the following registration information:
(a) the legal name and any other names or aliases that the animal abuser is using or has used;
(b) the date of birth of the animal abuser;
(c) the social security number of the animal abuser;
(d) the current address or location of the animal abuser;
(e) the place of employment of the animal abuser;
(f) the animal protection offense for which the animal abuser was convicted; and
(g) the date and place of the animal protection offense conviction of the animal abuser.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD03087-01-7
A. 3713 2
5. When an animal abuser registers with a county sheriff, the sheriff shall obtain:
(a) a photograph of the animal abuser and a complete set of the animal abuser's fingerprints; and
(b) a description of any tattoos, scars or other distinguishing features on the animal abuser's body that would assist in identifying the animal abuser.
6. Following an animal abuser's initial registration pursuant to the provisions of this section, an animal abuser shall annually renew the animal abuser's registration with the county sheriff prior to December thirty-first of each subsequent calendar year for a period of fifteen years.
7. An animal abuser who intentionally or knowingly fails to comply with the registration requirements, or provides false information when complying with the registration requirements set forth in this section, is guilty of a class E felony.
8. Each county sheriff shall maintain a local registry of animal abusers in the sheriff's jurisdiction required to register pursuant to this section.
9. The county sheriff shall forward all registration information obtained from animal abusers to the New York state division of criminal justice services.
10. Within ten days of receiving initial registration information from an animal abuser, the county sheriff shall contact every residence, school, humane society, animal shelter and any other business within a half mile radius of the animal abuser's residence or location and provide them with the animal abuser's registration information, with the exception of the animal abuser's social security number.
11. The New York state division of criminal justice services shall maintain a central registry of animal abusers required to register pursuant to the provisions of this section. The central registry of animal abusers shall be made available to the public through internet access, telephone access, written access and in-person access. All of the information contained in an animal abuser's registration, with the exception of the animal abuser's social security number, shall be made available. Records of each animal abuser's registration shall be maintained for the duration of the fifteen year period in which the animal abuser is required to be registered.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
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